Howdy @Rocky Santa Cruz12% + CoCROI is normally a good target for most Buy and Hold investments.  

  :)  Tax-ignorant clowns like Grant Cardone (who amazingly holds an accounting degree) love to "teach" bogus "tax-saving loopholes" - like put a business sticker on your car to make it deductible.You car is only deductible if it is actually used for a legitimate business, as @Lance Lvovsky explained. 

We normally get a general service on the heating/AC unit at the beginning of the summer and before winter. 

At this point I feel like this is what I am dedicated to, I would rather take a risk with the money I save up rather than just being content with it and continuing a normal job for 35+ years.    

You can study charts pie graphs and statistics ..but nothing beats snooping around the area in your car or in foot .

I would ask for a  credit of 1000  towards   actual other  costs you are incurring and  then have the  taxes pro rated  as normal ly would occur if this isn't an option - get 1K credit  and don't  increase price

Kathryn -  obtaining a loan through a lender  will normally require  2 years of  history of  consistent  positive income …...so if the plan is to use this  method of  financing  - keeping  the job is beneficial …..if you plan to use the more creative methods of  financing deals - then this issue isn't quite as important  the other lender issue to be aware of is that many lenders  have a limit on the  #s of properties  with financing an applicant  has in their name …...some cap at  7  ...some cap at  10 ...some may not any cap

His car was broke down, mortgage payment was due in a week, bills were past due and he was in a pinch.

Take the hit, take the rest you wind-fall and do what ever you want.Have fun with your cash - be conservative and always ask for seller financing when making offers to buy - we call it "contract candy", anything the seller can add, all the furniture, car, cash back at settlement, seller financing, a lot he may own, a home warranty - etc (also called "can-adds).

pretty sure that would be a write off.. either mileage or gas and insurance and car..