Here's a good rule of thumb:Your money in an account with your name on it = cash offer.Someone else's money that you have to borrow = financed offer.

I now tie my identity to daily activities (learning and improvement) and the results are taking care of themselves.I am understanding and gaining control over my mind (your #1 above).I hit the gym first thing in the morning and eat a can of tuna and low sugar protein shake for breakfast...a workout and 45 grams of protein is a good way to kick off the day. 

If you make improvements to a property (garage or another type of remodeling or addition) those items will also be added to your cost basis and affect your capital gain or loss. 

I agree with Dmitriy with what he said to be cautious and use someone that knows those rules. 

Two big rules of thumb:Generally speaking, the more square the house, the cheaper to frame and roof.  

When I'm not talking about home improvement or landlording, I'm usually just kidding around here in the forums.My advice to you is to spend lots of time reading these forums and figuring out who knows what they're talking about and who doesn't, and when.

I completely agree with you Basit, but I still believe it would improve the tool if it allowed us to input a percentage amount for both state and federal income taxes.  

It depends on your local rules but splitting a parcel can be a major pain and the locality might not even allow it due to zoning or setbacks or lot size restrictions. 

The card doesn't offer points or rebates but occasionally they do offer 0% interest for up to 24 months at the local home improvement store which will come in handy on my next house which I just got under contract.

Is the 1% or 2% rule mostly only attainable if you buy at a low price, foreclosure, or cash, and put work into it?