Travel costs being deductible will depend on the purpose for the travel to the area.If you have a rental in the area, then they are deductible rental costs.If you don't have any rentals in the area, they may be explaratory costs and may need to be added to basis.

Yes, there are lower down payment options out there, but many of those will require you to live in the property for a year before renting it out (or it's mortgage fraud).

It will also depend on your goals and if you're looking for turnkey or a value add. 

No one was able to clear it, even after multiple attempts, and it caused Home365 to stopped paying my bills (pending owner contribution).

In terms of loans, due to high income, loans won't be an issue but since I already have a 40 hour a week job, it will put a restriction to how much I contribute in Real Estate.

Plus most of your wealth will come from appreciation and that home is obviously not appreciating. 

Turning a garage into a game room will probably pay for itself relatively quick. 

However, long story short, yes there is, although I would recommend finding an advisor who is skilled in holistic financial planning that includes not just traditional stock market investments or real estate investments exclusively, but all investment strategies to help in your specific goals.In general though, you can either find a fee-only CFP that has expertise in real estate and other alternative investments, or you can find an advisor who is at the very least willing to have a conversation free of charge prior to any actual investments so they can give you a very good idea of whether they would be able to help you prior to beginning a relationship.

If they aren't able to reduce your taxes then they don't get paid.I assume they are selective about which appeals they will take on since there is no benefit to them or the homeowner to not be able to win an appeal, but I have no knowledge of their internal business logic. 

Just starting out and thinking my first will be a little closer to home.