It depends on your goals and your personal situation.If you choose to depreciate some property quicker via a chattel appraisal or cost segregation study you have to consider the cost of the study and see whether or not it is worth it.

Plus you'll be able to fill one of the units that much quicker.

You can get there quicker than you think.  

I'd also like to develop a relationship with a solid realtor to 1) sell my houses quicker and help out identifying latest market trends and 2) potentially bring in more deals to me.

We started about 4 years ago, and it was slow at first to save up for each one, but now that they are generating profit, seems to make the ball roll a little quicker! 

Chances are that they will cost you more than they will save you by renting your unit out quicker.

Was just wondering if I was missing out on some new real estate accounting technique or something to make it all easier/quicker. 

As in, "I think this is right, but please don't go and act solely on what I say because I don't want to feel responsible if it doesn't pan out for you""No legal advice" is a lot quicker to type, lol!

If I'm out of pocket 55K (worst case) on a $170K property that appraises for $155K, I'm positive equity - sure, i could've got a better deal had i put in a ton more work and done everything myself but i'm not it a position to do that.I guess what I am saying is I understand that the pursuit of a different strategy would likely net a better & quicker result.

The sellers agent came back and asked me wait before proceeding with inspections as he was expecting quicker reply back from the lender.