In a similar situation, I've used the five year schedule and the original cost of the flooring to determine the deduction.  

So do your due diligence and make sure that the strategy you know works in California will work in other states as well.If you don't know the area, here's what you'll need:A local real estate agentA loan officer licensed to originate loans in that stateA local property manager (they should have repairmen, contractors, etc. contacts for you)It works best when you have local "boots on the ground" so to speak, meaning friends or family members who can keep an eye on the property for you... which your property manager can do for you, but for a fee.I would recommend reading BiggerPocket's book on long distance real estate investing for a ton of other tips as well: https://www.biggerpockets.com/store/long-distance-real-estate-investing-ultimateIf you have any questions about the Phoenix Metro Area market when you're considering which area to invest in, feel free to reach out and I'll try to get your questions answered or point you in the right direction!

Originally posted by @Tashoma Lesane:Hello BP Community,My name is Tashoma Lesane and I am a new member who was introduced to BP by a friend.

Originally posted by @Michael B.

I think I am going to pass on the original deal I was looking at but was looking at some others.

Originally posted by @Chris Masons:I echo the sentiments of others here... the lease is signed so now you just need to stand up to her and let her know that it is YOU who run the show not her.

I unexpectedly ended up finding something off the MLS so I won't have an agent to hold my hand like I originally planned.

Originally I was thinking to sell this place and move into a SFH or even a Multi Family and stay in it a year then rent it, buy another stay in it a year and rent it and keep moving along that way, but through reading BP forums and talking to some other REI it seems like possibly taking a HELOC and staying in this house a bit longer might be a good option because I will have a fair amount of equity.

As a homeowner turned renter and retiree from another state, I had assets (savings account balance) to prove my capacity to pay the rent for a year and a good credit score to prove my character of paying my bills on time.

My credit score looked like a yoyo because of doing that. lol My rehab last year dropped mine from 810 down to 730, then refied and it went up to 830.