.- Performance can be a real problem. 

The analysis needs these items, learn the terms and you can save the $59 bucks:purchase price (PP)down  payment (DP)   derived financed amount (FA)all numbers are annualized, rents for the whole year are GSIGSINOI  (just gsi less expenses)DSCR (debt service coverage ratio) = NOI / mortgage*12cash-on-cash:  NOI / down payment [how well your cash is performing]cap-rate:  NOI / PP [ how well this property generates cash]for an all cash sale, the DP = PP, cash-on-cash will become the cap-rate.

That being said, when you mention shuffling though files, it sounds like the arduous task of looking through judgments and the like. 

or how many sellers realize its the law and or how many of our BP trained brethren would know or care  :).But for myself who is licensed as a RE broker in Oregon and a NMLS Mortgage Banker I need to follow the laws to a tee... if someone took me to task I can't pull the I did not know card  :).these laws passed in 07 ish...

Lastly, don't assume that it will be very easy to find a buyer if your contract and if you are not in position financially to perform to the purchase contract you are intending to bind yourself to, without finding a successful assignee of that contract to buy you out of it and complete the purchase.  

When you create a statement from your company that authorizes a member or owner or officer or designated other person to perform a duty(ies) or function(s) of your business, this statement usually needs to be signed by someone who is identified in your Articles of Organization (or Certificate of Organization – whatever it is called in the state of origin) as an authorized person.

Can I write off these expenses later if these repairs are performed prior to renting and paid in cash ?

Perform due diligence on the subject property to see if its a deal at all.

Especially on your first deal, it would help to have guidance as to how to structure the deal, how to perform the inspection, etc.

If I look over the past year my homes have clearly out performed my 401k.