I would like to know the average price increases in my market by percentage (so that I can include it in a property value increase in a buy & hold analysis).

For example I can write off the interest on the mortgage but not the principal, and yes I believe in my area they also will write off a percentage of the house for the utilities.

I will start to run my numbers with more of a significant percentage off the asking price, because like you said it is just business if I offer low to fit my numbers, the worst they can say is no. 

I believe that at every level of risk the commercial note carries a 2-3 percentage point positive return over the residential note.

So you're either expecting people with illegal guns to keep them outside off your property or wanting to cut your tenant pool by a significant percentage with zero upside.

Before we get to deep into things, we need to determine who will get paid a percentage of what and when. 

If I allowed credit/debit cards then I'm charged a fee and percentage.

This going rate is usually a percentage of market value but is not set in stone and depends on different factors.

As a percentage return you would be better off with an index fund, have way less risk and zero work.

I've been in multiple partnerships and the initial investment, capex, income, and distributions have always been based on the percentage of the investment each partner owns.It is difficult to provide a recommendation on operating reserve without knowing more details on the deal.