i see alot of socal and az landscapes put in where they cover the dry hard clay with a layer of very SANDY YELLOW gravel that sort of forms a stucco-like shell over the earth that chokes out weeds aside from the areas its applied very scantily like around existing specimens. wonder what's that stuff called, is it different from caliche?

Their Insurance company paid off their house and my parents had the house professionally fixed by having cement poured under the house and some kind of backs put in each corner.  

I have a few of those.. my last rentals are all higher end and are rented to white collar professionals.. most as you state just go about their business.One of my tenants .. was having a big party for her friends and was cooking and entertaining and the stove just was not good enough etc etc.. she kept $$$ at me and I finally went on line found a close out stainless steel very nice range that I would put in one of my new constructions..

You are not required If I buy a property and put in new flooring I can depreciate the new flooring over 5 years as its new and just placed in service in have a documented actual cost.Under the tangible property regulations however, I may elect the original flooring cost out of it, however that requires specific things to be done and a detailed report as well.

This means you have to put in the same effort as you did to find this one.

Just put in an offer, I'll keep you all posted!

Like @Ned Carey said it is no uncommon for businesses to reimburse for supplies, but even if you don't do reimburse yourself, buying materials for your business is considered a contribution of capital, no different than the money you put in to start your business, this is a long way of saying your fine don't worry.  

I don't know what you put in writing, but really avoid this in the future.

When we looked at the house it was 276k and we were ready to put in an offer at 270.Now that its rescheduled for auction at 143k I dont think we should put in an offer more than we were looking, honestly I am thinking 250k should be enough to get it out before auction.

My wife and I also have 8 kids, from 22-9 which might explain some of my distraction:)I'm now re-focused and ready to start turning my properties into cash cows so I can plow some money into more cash flow rentals.I'm also seriously considering getting my real estate license in the next 6-12 months