Its important to note that you only get to deduct the higher of either standard deduction or your itemized deductions(home interest & other) so if you sell you'll still get the 12,200 married or 6100 single deduction so you'd only lose the difference between your standard deduction and interest on your primary.Example: So how you can see it is if by living in your primary residence you only get 18,000 total itemized deduction then by selling and leaving you'd only lose 5,800 deductions tax wise but like Brandon mentioned you give up appreciation as well.If this is offset by the apprec/amort/cashflow/tax benefits of the new property you're going to invest in then sure you could consider that but its all about your risk tolerance and preferences on investing.

I also found I preferred GCs that would give me itemized quotes so I could pick which things I'd tackle myself and what I'd leave up to them.Right now, I'm considering buying property in the Loch Raven area and since I live in Endor Gardens (for now), I could have GCs quote me on jobs to my own property that I could then get a reasonable idea for what they'd charge for doing the work on other homes in the area.Did you find that GCs gave any kind of discounted prices for investors vs home owners?

that will dictate if you can get higher end tenants willing to pay more for these items and whether local market has competition for central air units.

But you'd also be paying relatively less for your home than if you were to buy a SFR for yourself with no income to offset your expenses.If, or should I say when, you rent out your unit also, you'd be grossing $2,200/month, and there'd be what to talk about (is $1,200 a month enough to cover all those items listed above aside from debt service?).  

More items in your inbox @Tim Kelly. 

Take a checklist with you and take pictures/video of each item/room to review later.

I feel that knowledge is one of the most valuable items you can have in this day and age, and the more books I read, and the more podcasts I listen to, and the more people I speak with, the more I have a desire to gain more knowledge from people who know more than me. 2017 will be a good year, I have made the goal to buy my first rental property this year and to get started in the large world of real estate investing.

This way most things are covered, who is responsible for insurance, marketable title wording, septic inspections, type of financing, items included/excluded, utilities on/off, who owns a propane tank if there is one, gas and mineral rights, certificates of compliance/occupancy blah blahI of course would then ensure my clients interests are preserved with the right checks and a good number of days for contingencies that work in their best interest.

I'm sure they get a lot of tire kickers and a lot of these prospect phone calls feel like a waste of time, so this made me feel like a waste of her time.She had a couple of follow up items she was supposed to email me but never did.I would have much rather if she just told me it wasn't a good time and rescheduled.

@Jason A. all of those items are great items to put into your lease or added addendum's.