Expense ratio, as others have stated, often ends up evening out these fluctuations in each expense and can often times be a more accurate predictor over many data points.

There's no statutory or common law basis to force the builder to provide plans.

I was able to move out of my parents house in an expensive market by using the other unit rent to cover the majority of the expenses.

What kind of planning do you do throughout the year to minimize your tax liability? 

The one aspect I'd say where planning can really provide benefit however is with tax planning.  

Discuss plan with Planning Zoning group.3.  

and it's not only not cash, it's expensive money - for it to be worth using you'd need either (1) something short term, like a flip (not recommending that here) or (2) a very high return that beats the interest rate you're paying on it.

We now live in Arizona and I frequently fly back to the southeast to repair or inspect the properties and already deduct the travel, lodging, and half of the meal expenses from my taxes. 

I like a plan!

Currently living in our home and plan on renting to keep low interest rate while we house hack a duplex to start our investing in real estate.