But maybe somewhere down the line we'll be able to help each other. 

You have to meet rules for home office deduction. if you are an investor, The expenses they incur in connection with investing activity are treated as Section 212 expenses incurred for the production of income. 

🙄ClintThe tree is right on my side of the property line mostly, he has a fence next to it.

So to address one of your first lines of "is that what people tell themselves to get out of removing it", I think you're doing the opposite.

Most of the scenarios proposed to us by potential clients for such joint ventures would likely create a benefit between the parties and not pass scrutiny in an audit.There are many ways to safely and productively grow your IRA investing in non-traditional assets such as real estate in a standalone fashion,  There is no need to take unnecessary and foolish risks with your retirement savings.

Jay Hinrichs points out in podcast 222 that one should pay off their properties sooner than later, in case something unforeseen/bad happens, you have multiple (good) exit strategies.You can still leverage your properties - you can get a HELOC (actually there is no such thing for investment properties, it's called portfolio line of credit or asset based LOC) and you'll be able to use it in case the need appears, without paying interest all the time.Let me know the conclusion you reach.

There are too many factors that have to line up perfectly to make this work.Your best bet is to work something out with your ex-wife.

I also have a renter lined up.For rent I believe I could get $650 pretty easily based on rentometer and craigslist posts.

You should set up an ideal situation with one like a line of credit with them and then once you have a purchase, go to someone else and refi it. 

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