Here are some thoughts on managing your appraisals:https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2011/01/1...As for the other stuff, I would highly recommend picking up the BP Flipping book:http://www.biggerpockets.com/flippingbookFully disclosure...both the article above and the book were written by me..

@Jerrod Avegalio  Here's an article, dated 2014, that seems an easy read of key points to have in mind when you talk to local brokers as suggested by @Jay Hinrichs.  

Is there a book or article anyone can point me to as far as the conversation one has with perspective owners to determine investment opportunity?

You will find SO many articles and who knows maybe open up your own brokerage because you learn so much!

I simply want to be able to properly deduct/capitalize/whatever these expenses and the BP blog article on the March 15th deadline being different this year is really freaking me out.

yes. i thought NJ and NY markets are the same. it was the news all over in the world that attracts homeless to NY that the city using taxpayer money to house them. it's $2000 per person a month. google any NYC pay homeless, tons of news. non paying tenants, paying homeless....http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3995098/Ne...There was a news few years back that NYC panhandlers who own a few condo apartments by putting dirty make up on without getting haircut or some with a dog. this is one of the news even on International Business news.http://www.ibtimes.com/how-much-do-panhandlers-mak...no offense, why we want to invest real estate?

Here's an interesting article: https://www.trulia.com/blog/7-signs-of-an-up-and-c...Local to the Tampa area, hot areas like Seminole Heights seem to be creeping outwards.

@Joshua FerreyI have some interesting articles and a study I can send you, PM me.

It took numerous phone calls from my agent and myself to random people in some outsourced office halfway across the country and weeks of stress to finally get the loan closed (and only because the seller agreed to an extension at the last minute).

Hi,  looking at an article I saw on BP, if a house was built in 1902 I would est $1 per sf for every year old for rehab.