Has completely crushed rehab budget and set us back significantly in timeline.

My budget for this year in cash is $100k that can be used towards downpayment, closing costs, fix small things, property management fees, lender fees etc and rest will be looking for conventional financing as of now.New constructions offer better interest rates, minimal maintenance costs for 2-3 years, and potential for self-management due to higher rents.

Feel free to message me with any specific questions. 

They can provide insights into tax implications, specific filing requirements, and potential deductions.General advice?

The answer seems very broad vs specific to your circumstances. 

If you haven't been tracking your material participation, done a cost segregation, or any other techniques specific to real estate and just want someone to file on your behalf then there might not be a huge difference between H&R and a specialized CPA.

Specifically considering zip 92544.Much appreciated!

The best you could do is call the agents broker and file a complaint with that specific agent. 

As for foundation repairs, most big things outside of  HVAC are always going to go over budget.

Consult with a mortgage broker to assess your specific financial situation and find the most suitable loan option.Since you have $50,000 in equity in your current residence, refinancing could be a way to access this equity and use it as a down payment for the new duplex.