@Patrick Orah Specific to your difficulty in finding a handy-person, have you tried using services such as Angi or Thumbtack to source some based on reviews of their previous work within their community? 

You need an inflow of cash from an outside source into this situation to work for everyone.

I am using Facebook and another roommate finder app to source for roommates.

Most landlords like to see job stability and you being the main source of income having a brand new job will be of concern to many landlords.

A call to a town building department, or an internet search should answer that for you.2) I have found The Journal of Light Construction to be an excellent source of information.

Timing is critical.

Do you have a good source to find on and off market properties?

You have to keep learning, keep asking questions, keep thinking critically and keep looking for what other's may not see. 

You just have to put it into writing and have that critical conversation.

If youre AGI is over $100k-$150k you can deduction a more limited amount of those lossesIf your AGI is above $150k you can not deduct any losses, they CAN offset other passive income sources if you have them, or they carry to the next year and will do so until you are in a position to use them.