Stairs are the only way to get in, no grab rails in the bathroom, ramps that are too steep, etc.From what I've read, all commercial businesses/buildings (including ones before the ADA was passed) have to comply with the rules, unless it would be outrageously tough to fix (like installing an elevator in an already built building).Are all these local business just not complying and taking the risk, or am I missing something? 

Make sure you know where the guard rails are with your bank. 

I had a case where it looked like the umbrella policy could get used but 1) ended up Not being needed 2) was vehicle related, not RE related.Our Son’s girlfriend was driving one of our vehicles and got into an accident.  

I offered to buy the property from the $28B foreign company which kept them from having to tear down the buildings to mitigate the vagrant problem and also from their obligation to pay the rail road for the long term lease.

I use a schedule E and do not have an LLC or business name, so can I purchase the vehicle under my personal name and take section 179?

Or subs or property managers who run off the rails. 

My wife and I have overhauled our personal budget to reflect the 'pay yourself first' approach (allocate in order: income comes in -> invest -> donate -> fixed expenses -> variable expenses -> fun $$).We are looking to see what experienced people generally recommend for a holding tank for that 'invest' allocation while we target our first real estate deal.What financial vehicles have you guys used that works well for this?

Compliance items such as adding smoke detectors, hand rails, fire resistant garage entry-door and new stairs outside.

We're never going to erase class in any capitalistic system so the best you can do is put up some basic guard rails and let the market do what it does.  

I would not buy a new vehicle just to get a write off - Only if you planned to get a new car anyway(I.E. if your old car is worn out).A lot of people are focused on deducitons but not focused on the income coming in / out.Best of luck!