Perhaps there are more effective ways to "offset" capital gains, but this has been my experience.  

There is free guide to in BP the ultimate guide to real waste investing.

Do you have any tips on setting this up effectively without breaking the bank on legal and other filing fees?

Even though your intentions are good and you're serious they have no way of knowing your not just wasting their time. 

It looks like you may have kids, so I'd also take time to consider how your decision may effect you, your kids, and what may be left of your relationship with your ex.

You might check if there is a municipal occupancy code in effect.

If I were you, short of sitting behind a bush for 24 hours to find the culprit, I might have a sign made to post by the dumpster that says something to the effect; “Dumpster under 24 hour Surveillance -no unauthorized dumping allowed”.

It's NOT an entry level position.After several years as a remodeler and six years as a real estate investor, I finally thought I might have a good enough knowledge to be an effective wholesaler.

I've got a deal right now with a seller super motivated by speed, by contrast, that hid things from me and it wasted three weeks.

If I lived in Indiana I'd be doing a ton of deals.Many parts of Indy experienced zero rent growth and effectively zero appreciation in the last 30 years.