However, it legitimizes your business, allows you to start branding, logos, marketing materials. 

You must perform more than 750 hours of services during the tax year in real property trades or businesses in which you materially participate.How to establish “material participation” (Section 1.469-5T):1.

On Nolo's website they actually list what applies in terms of any travel for any rental activitiesSo for example, you can deduct the cost of driving to:your rental propertywhere you have your principal place of business for your rental activity, ­including a home officeplaces where you meet with tenants, suppliers, vendors, repair people, ­attorneys, accountants, real estate brokers, real estate managers, and other people who help in your rental activitythe bank where you do banking for your real estate activitythe garbage dump where you haul refuse from your rental propertya local college where you take landlord-related classes (educational ­expenses are deductible only if your rental activities qualify as a business)a store where you buy supplies or materials for your real estate activity.I would recommend keeping a mileage log and receipts for gas.Hope this info helps.- Dave

I have the list of everything that I am planning on attacking and would love advice on what exactly is the best way of tenant proofing that specific material?

(I utilized the listing agents own marketing materials to justify my position.)And, just a side note, if I was the listing agent, I would NOT want the liability of making decisions for Sellers....   

I know about rent rolls, and keeping all receipts for work done or materials etc purchased.

At the same time he is clearly promoting his own material throughout while criticizing others for doing the same.

- I ALWAYS buy my own finishing materials, though I'll generally let the contractors buy the building materials (lumber, siding, sheetrock, roofing materials, etc)

When it comes to entities - corps, LLCs and trusts, his material is good stuff.

I'm looking at about $2.75 sq/ft for all materials for the granite install.