We are looking to grow our flipping business this year as well get into holding properties as our long term wealth strategy.

I would consider the business uses of your home, the basement apartment is considered a rental property if you rent it out.

Depending on the condition of the floors, you can use a large pad sander or a barrel (tube type sander).

For the last 10 years, I've been living in Asia running a small marketing business I started from nothing to making $3-4k per month.

Here are some additional activities that count, toward real estate professional and material participation hours.Research market for real estate transaction opportunities; current office market rates; terms of financingMaking offer contracts for properties that you end up buyingNegotiation for acquisition of rental properties that you end up purchasing; including directing due diligence and managing financial projections/business plansObtaining financing for properties that you purchaseProperty inspectionsAdvertisingMeeting with Prospective Tenants/showing properties to prospective tenantsNegotiate, obtain, & review proposals and contracts with vendors (insurance, utilities, etc) for property servicesReview and Negotiate The Terms of Sale AgreementsStaging and Decorating3rd party contractor, vendor, or service provider supervision

Wholesaling is a sales and marketing business.

@Mark Enis this is ENTIRELY dependent on the loan product you are using. 

If you look under his original company names youll find even more lawsuits and warnings against doing business with him online.

Peoples sexual or religious preferences are none of my business but do they follow the terms of the lease is what I am concerned with.

I too am someone new to this business and hopefully leaving my full time job one day to pursue investing only.Good luck on your duplex and many more!