My question was how people "deduct"/don't pay tax on those expenses.To provide numbers, again this on a property, but not one I currently own (tenant in place for 1 year so no ads, turnkey so should have low repairs, but I still use 8%).income 1250$/monthTaxes 177$/monthInsurance 100 $/monthmgmt fees 100$/monthmaint 100$/monthVacancy (not actual money put aside) 125 $/monthCapex 183$/monthmortgage 440$/month of which Interest 4000K/year (330$/month)monthly expenses:1225$/monthprojected net income: 25$/month Your expenses remain the same (I guess they could decrease if you're covering utilities or something) when you're vacant, so you'll likely lose money each day you are unrented. 

Factoring in the mortgage, I came out at $90.68 (526.27 Net Operating Income - $435.59 mortgage) as my monthly cash flow.So here are my questions:Am I correct in thinking that I can finance $100,000 to cover my cash in, and use the difference between the appraised value and the financed amount ($41,000) as the minimum 20% equity to stay in the property that is needed by the bank? 

Sounds like stocks are an afterthought for you compared to REI but I'd love to get a clearer picture of what the allocation / timing looks like for you.

Good professional pictures always helpsIf you ask PRO Flipper, I know 33% is not great return but decent return for 6 month project as per me.

LOL (jk about the last question)Is taking a picture of these "Non Owner Occupied" homes and sending them a postcard of it a good idea? 

It not impossible but understand there are dozens if not hundreds of other flippers out there who can estimate rehab and ARV just by looking at pictures and if they haven't already paid cash for the house, than it's probably not a good deal.

I also attended a TREIA workshop on legal issues for landlords and had a real estate attorney review my application and policies, and I do move-in inspections with new tenants so everything is transparent and covered up front. 

As such I am building the appropriate checks and balances to cover those damn loose stair treads.

So, my question for the BP community is this: does anybody have a verified, dependable screening company that covers evictions nation-wide - even Maine, and that will allow me to see the full credit report (after an office inspection, of course)? 

The idea was that direct material and labor would be covered and any gross profit would contribute something to cover the overhead.