However, I received a notice that San Jose implemented a tax on all rental units, even for landlords that had 2 or fewer units in the city. 

By the time you have a little saved up, maybe you'll have a better understanding of the strategy you want to implement.

Your line of thought is exactly the approach I would like to implement when I start wholesaling shortly.

@Darius Lipsey There are many ways you can add value to multifamily, but I would need more information to give you the best plan to implement.

You can't implement a plan to drive up the value of VTSAX, but we can (and do) force value add on real estate all the time.That said, VTSAX has advantages that can't be denied.

In any event doing it wrong can lead to expensive consequences, so definitely consult a professional.My advice would be to hire the engineer and if you can handle implementing their recommendations, then do it, but it's best to let a professional prescribe the solution.

That is completely unethical...plain and simple.If you get your own non-recourse debt and pay the premium for it on your own it could be a good strategy to implement as a hedge in currency uncertainty.

But that is what makes Bigger Pockets different and when I realized this I began implementing a plan to use it for all its power.

They have stringent testing over a broader range of financial products.

I also wish the District would also implement a formal appeal process for those who owe back taxes and have a willing buyer in hand, rather than making it a hit or miss situation where relief is granted based on the how the rep at the Office of Tax and Revenue feels that day.I have provided and paid for lawyers for clients who can't source them on their own, I've negotiated with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue to reduce charges, and I've attended court hearings, all as part of my service.