You're an armed citizen and as such are able and ethically bound to defend yourself and those unable to defend themselves.

Regardless of the tax treatment, you either paid that $26K out of pocket, or you got a loan to cover it.

I know there are some laws around HOA lien treatment, so that's the next thing to nail down.

There was a decaying opossum carcass in the hall and it took three treatments by a pest company to kill all the fleas (sorry if you're eating).  

The way I see it, there are two primary things I can bring to the table: I have a  very strong work ethic, and I am really passionate about investing.

You don't want to be labeled as such, because If you do get labeled by them as flipper or wholesaler you'd loose the Tax Favored Capital Gains rate and pay ordinary income and self employed tax and all. one of the reasons Real Estate is attractive is for its tax favorite treatments by the IRS. attached is a link to Intuit tax forum discussing this very issue. https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2586637-i-invest...

The IRS does not recognize it unless you ask them to by making an election to be an S-corp or C-corp or partnership(if more than one member).A single member LLC may file as a sole proprietorship and pay both halves of Social Security(subject to income limit of 106,800) and both halves of Medicare totaling 12.4% in addition to paying regular income tax on the earnings.If you elect to be taxed as an S-corp, you may pay yourself a salary from this business, and take in the rest of the income as "ordinary income(not subject to FICA like Self employment income is)" which means it has no "preferences(capital gain treatment".Yes if you elect to file as an S-corp, you will have to file an 1120s before your personal 1040.

I don't believe people can make it in this business unless they have integrity and work in an ethical manner.

Properties held for personal use or for sale such as a rehab/fix/slip will not qualify for 1031 Exchange treatment. 

The critical issue is your intent to hold for investment purposes in order to qualify for 1031 Exchange treatment.