Should I deduct the cost from their security deposit or is it considered normal wear and tear?

In Ohio you could manage properties for her even if you are not a licensed real estate agent working under a licensed broker so long as you were her w-2 employee or you were doing it for free.

We're now looking for another investment property...the market has shifted, interest rates are higher now, and there are many investors in our local market that have long ago snapped up the easy ones.Now, I'm continually listening to BP and other podcasts with the idea of figuring out how to create a good deal, instead of "finding" a good deal.Also, whether you're a real estate agent or an investor, remember that the market will change...the interest rates, rent rates, and who knows what else will change. 

And this is going to get really murky, because the owner claims that he had a long-term tenant, and that tenant was then doing the rental arbitrage deal.  

Why do you think purchase contracts are so long and have such small print?

Short term looks good to pay it off, but a look at the long term tells me…leave it in 401(k)!

We are the buyers and it is being sold by a relocation company.

The goal is to build long-term wealth.

Thinking about utilizing virtual staging rather than traditional staging, especially because we are in a sellers market.

We are a community of Real Estate investors and RE experienced CPAs here in these forums.