When you hire the PM you may be able to write into the agreement that they hire the one you chose and it may give you a bargaining position to reduce the cost or eliminate the cost for the PM's fees for future upgrades and other properties you hire them to manage.

My portfolio is too small and the cost in CA too high to justify a LLC, even assuming that it will function to protect me if/when needed.

Our combined income exceeds $150,000 but the write offs relating to the real estate expenses for tax purposes go away so buying in our own name does not provide all the advantages I would like it to. 

Originally posted by @David Dachtera:You don't need to be an agent to write offers. 

Lease SUV (under 6000 lbs gvwr)I can write off 100% of lease payments.Q: is there any additional write off related to section 179?

Ive done some upgrades and will write those against my rental income but net positive for the year.  

It makes sense financially, but I personally couldn't have my family live in that kind of neighborhood.My only real regret over the last year is that I should have been firmer w/ GC's, setting timelines in writing w/ penalties for getting behind schedule or beyond budget.  

My question is what can I write off on my taxes this up coming year?

That's the great thing about J Scott's book he writes about those little details so when you walk through, look at various things you can add up a general ball park number.

I no longer bother trying to buy them...and as an agent, I do not write offers for them, or list them anymore since doing so is a waste of time.