Hi friends at Bigger Pockets,
My name is Jose, and I am a resident of Oahu, Hawaii, born and raised. I love our land and the culture of aloha we have here. I am an engineer by trade and am married to an awesome wife ...

You were not buying a NOTE you were originating A new mortgage and prom note @Wayne Brooks as Wayne illustrated your confused on what gets recorded and what needs to be notarized.. the prom note needs neither notary or recordation. its the mortgage that needs both.and that fact that its not already of record means you made a new loan.. once the new loan came to light to the Senior lender I am sure there docs preclude any junior encumbrances or mortgages.

But in light of what I stated above, if I had to guess I'd say the market will stay pretty flat. 

Landlords typically pay trash removal, water, landscaping, and snow removal.

Meet People with Experiences Similar to Your Own: There are many organizations (both free and paid) out there that you can join such as BiggerPockets forums, local real estate meetup groups, The Entrepreneur's Organization, your local AICPA group, etc. that gives you a place to receive advice, guidance, problems and ideas.Utilize the R&D Tax Credit: Your business could receive a 10-20% refund for employee labor that’s associated with improving a product or process.Utilize Employee Retention Tax Credits: If your employees that worked for your business during the pandemic are retained through the end of 2021, your business could receive up to $9,000 each quarter that your employees were retained.Own Your Own Office: This would allow you to have multiple tax deductions, utilize depreciation, take advantage of appreciation of the property, as well as allow your company to rent out any unused space to help pay the mortgage.Take Advantage of Energy Efficient Tax Credits: There are many opportunities to take advantage of these credits such as updating the HVAC system, installing energy efficient lighting, etc.Perform a Cost Segregation Study on Your Property: This would allow your business to immediately write off the personal property within the building.Utilize Work Opportunity Tax Credits: If you hire employees from groups that typically face a barrier when it comes to employment such as people with physical or mental disabilities, veterans, etc. your small business could receive a tax credit while also helping the underserved.Use the SCORE program: This program is free and connects you with resources, and mentors and specifically focuses on helping small business owners excel.

I just naturally assume that they're a little low on their estimates of owner-paid utilities, monthly landscaping costs, water costs, etc.  

Check out my answer to this persons post it'll shed light on how you can creatively get into your first investment property as a first-time homebuyer.

Some examples of habitability codes are functional toilets, functional sinks, functional smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, weathertight windows and doors leading outside, bathrooms must have a mechanical vent or an easily opened window, a bedroom must have an easily opened window and either two electrical outlets or one electrical outlet and a light fixture and all pipes, plumbing and electrical must be per code.

I should shed light to our personal relationship between him and I.

Added lighting and electrical outlet to a bonus room under the stairs.