It is so easy to get into the trap of wanting to get the property to the standards you would want to live in.

I'm not too sure where the property is located, but under Florida law you either (Insert standard I am not a lawyer, no legal advice given, blah blah blah)A.

As an operator, DIY labor can not be deducted ( irs says your time is worthless ), whereas the entire invoice (parts+labor) are deductable.

After I max my 401k though that would bring my taxable income down to 41% Add in standard deductions and I manage to get my taxable income down to 35.6% Does anyone else do this?

The most recent TRID has changed the whole process and the 2016 standard form contains language cautioning about that. 

Large, flatscreen TV's are standard.  

I just sat through a seminar hoping to find clear answers to the following, but didn't:Are closing costs associated with a cash-out refinance on my primary residence deductible in whole or in part for tax purposes? 

It is not standard procedure in the market place for contractors to give quotes on properties that are not owned by the person getting the quote.

Have your attorney look over the title policy to make sure all exceptions are standard.

During the housing bubble prices were going up because lending standards were so loose, people were buying homes they couldn't afford.