I've looked on loopnet, mls, and other internet sites with no luck finding anything for sale in my area.  

Connect with me here or look me  up on the internet.  

If you test, most likely the test will be fine, but if for some small chance it comes back bad, then it becomes a material fact and now you are sol to sell the house without remediation, which will cost you 5k to 25k depending.  

would help if you delineated what your new to and what you need help with.but a good start for any beginner is the local REIA meetings they are full of beginners like you.mid stride folks and the one's who are doing very well who go there to find bird dogs and deals for little to no effort  LOL.And or if you really want in the business then go pay a few hundred bucks and get your RE pre license materials study take the test pass the test and go work for a broker who specializes in whatever aspect of real estate your interested in.. be in SFR  Multi  Commerical  leasing...

Buy a home and fix it up while living in it, then sell it after the 2 year mark.Can I purchase the home through my LLC, write off (taxes) the material costs of upgrading and possibly adding a deck etc, and then end up ultimately selling it?

The HML may allow 10% up front to help the contractor buy the materials but limiting the cash to the contractor protects you and the HML.  

Taking into consideration the homes you have bought that are more new, as well as all roof materials you have encountered...

The first two lines read:(1) As used in this rule, "advertising" and "advertisement" include all forms of representation, promotion and solicitation disseminated in any manner and by any means for any purpose related to professional real estate activity, including, without limitation, advertising by mail; telephone, cellular telephone, and telephonic advertising; the Internet, E-mail, electronic bulletin board and other similar electronic systems; and business cards, signs, lawn signs, and billboards.(2) Advertising by a licensee, in process and in substance, must:Line two makes it seem like regulation is applied if you are advertising as any form of real estate professional.

Be very careful of the Internet it has many crooks on it trying to make emotional sales.

I knew a guy that would do $50/square if you cover materials.