I realize each broker her their own which I am happy to sign but I haven't seen this before and gives me pause simply at the perpetuity for 2 years.

i have plans at the city that are 2-3 weeks from approval. i'm a licensed GC and the house is going to be a 3/2 1100 sqft with comps in the 260's. for a construction id only need 100-110k, but the more i call banks the more im finding out that even 100-110k is "too small" of a loan.

We typically structured the deal with a 15% interest rate and a 12-month balloon payment due at exit.

Sure it can be a write off, but my question is if it is the highest and best use of your time (or the given employees time) to be running a skid steer - transporting it, storage, maintenance, cleaning, etc, and if it still makes sense if you need to hire someone to run it for you and take care of the other things.Add up all those recurring costs - maintaining the machine, maintaining the trailer, having a large enough truck to tow it, insurance and registration for all of the above, your time or your employees time related to all of the above...even at $14k a year it might be attractive enough to keep paying that and having them drop it off at the job site for you.A brand new machine could easily cost you over 6 figures - that's 7 years of rentals at $14k/year before including all the holding costs. 

If your season is short, then I might look at a longer term short rental.

Chances are they're not turning a C/D complex to A at A rents, but I've seen that pitch. 

Vacant lots can go for as little as $5000 - $7500 and are usually between other houses so you at least know utilities should be on or near your site. 

I'd suggest keeping it simple at first by buying a buy and hold that cash flows in an appreciating market.

The repair work was estimated at over $10k, including foundation work, so I used the escape clause that their contract had in it.

Originally drafted to prevent landlords from using security deposits for cleaning or repairs, the bill was amended after opposition from the California Apartment Association (CAA).Landlords will now need to photograph rental units before tenants move in, at the end of the lease, and after repairs or cleaning.