Is this example absurd enough to illustrate the issue I have with your reasoning? 

Add some 0s to the end of these numbers and you may be able to see how being a real estate professional is beneficial.Additionally, if you have a cost segregation study you may be able to categorize some of the $100 purchase price to shorter life assets resulting in greater tax losses in the earlier years.This example is illustrative so speak to your tax professional to understand the application to your specific situation.

Can you provide any examples of what a tax-favorable investment might look like to illustrate your point?  

There are also illustrated books you can buy for basic plumbing, tiling, landscape, handyman that could be helpful as well.  

Awesome illustration, thank you for sharing!

(maybe a little bit, but you get the illustration).

However, I think you were trying to illustrate that this is more along the lines of light cosmetic work.

Just an overly simplistic example to illustrate the point.

Dear Sasha, What helped me understand building code was the book by Francis DK Ching and Steven R Windkel,"Building Codes Illustrated: A Guide to Understanding the 2018 International Building Code".

Also enter it as a negative number.Pictures below to help illustrate it.