I also don't necessarily care if THIS company is profitable, so long as it helps my rental investments be more profitable.What I'm concerned about is mainly maximizing my tax deductions. 

As long as you're happy with the deal, it doesn't matter what % rule is involved. 

As long as you go through a title company or attorney (depends on state) for closing they will verify that he is the 1st lien holder on the property and he has a mortgage.

Sounds good so long as lenders waive my monthly payments and the county waives property taxes.

You can offer any commission you want, as long as your broker agrees.

I think that as long as you understand the risk of what you're getting into and plan for it accordingly (like keeping reserve, getting multiple bids, etc), I think it's still a viable way to invest. 

As long as your name is on all of the bills and you sleep there a majority of the time, you should be ok.

@Jimmy AuAs long as the numbers still generate cash flow I would do it.

So for me the takeaway is as long as your margin is comfortably high, the Smoky's can ride out any storm.

I expect this price increase may be the same, we may see minor adjustments in some areas, but we're likely going to sit around this price level going forward as long as rates stay low and the economy continues to chug on.