I have a few tricks up my sleeve.

More than ever, I use many tricks to improve the reliability of receiving payments.What is really concerning me is the rise in everyday costs that are mostly ignored.

(For the purpose of this discussion, let's define "success" as accumulation of money/wealth) Not at all a trick question...just curious your opinion...

The trick is going to be finding a good contractor and a good property manager.

Anything tangible with a receipt for purchase will do the trick.

I'd say that most will take the time to help you pretty much a tradition, but there will be areas of the business that will be well guarded as many won't want to lose any preceived edge they may have.It's an old trick to bait new agents or investors into the business, teach them enough to produce leads and have them come back to the mentor to split the deal and close while not disclosing everything, keeping that newbie as a lead generating source, you just need to get past that at some point.

While the information was good and informative the sales pitch and bs was very disingenuous and I felt insulted by the gimmicks and tricks.

If they've got rental history, that means they've seen all of the "landlord tricks" to cheap out.

Another trick I employ is to ask how long they have had their phone number.

The trick in your case is demonstrating that the funds were used as a quid pro quo rather than as a primary residence upgrade.I'm sure someone with more tax experience will chime in soon @Natalie Kolodij .