The amount of anti-discrimination compliance training I've received is freaking endless, but at no point has any of that training included a single iota of "be careful you don't treat veterans better than non-veterans, or it's unlawful housing discrimination!"

Hearing something 2nd hand and or not understanding it does not give you an excuse for non compliance and can be a very expensive lesson.

And if you're unsure of the process, it's always best to consult with a tax professional to ensure that you're in compliance with all state and federal tax laws. 

While most CPAs specialize in compliance (i.e. tax return preparation) and most attorneys specialize in consulting (i.e. tax planning) you should make sure that the person you hire has the necessary knowledge and experience to assist you in accomplishing your goals.

I can assure you that deals do not come from an automated MLS listing email unless you are looking for retail prices. 

This is especially great when the violation is small and not normally eviction worthy, but you need compliance. 

@Jonathan Tavarez Zoning is not a title issue except in commercial transactions where a zoning compliance endorsement may be requested — or when the violation is already a lien or public record.

But I can assure you, in almost every neighborhood in Pittsburgh, there are investors who do well and those who do not!  

An example of expenses that can be tagged to the business and not so much to a single property are legal fees, compliance costs, office expenses, auto expenses, tools and equipment expenses including replacements.Initially as a small individual investor, your reserves will be higher per door simply because you can't spread the costs over a larger operation.

Since the primary commercial lender will have the first lien on the property, what assurances does the second lender covering my down payment get?