If so, they should be able to look up the tax record.

Be sure to keep detailed records for the following:🏠 Mortgage Interest – One of the largest deductions available.🧾 Property Taxes – Deduct annual real estate taxes paid.🔧 Repairs & Maintenance – Expenses to keep the property in good condition (e.g., plumbing, painting, appliance replacement).🪜 Depreciation – A major benefit allowing you to deduct the property’s wear and tear over time.💡 Utilities – If you pay for water, gas, or electricity, those are deductible.🧹 Cleaning & Landscaping Services – Routine upkeep expenses.💼 Professional Fees – Legal, accounting, or property management services.🧑‍🔧 Contractor Labor & Supplies – Any materials or hired help for property improvements.🚗 Mileage/Travel – When traveling to inspect or manage rental properties (keep mileage logs).💻 Office Supplies & Software – Including bookkeeping tools, printers, and even part of your home office.Creative Ways to Give Back — and Still SaveGiving back can also be tax-deductible when done thoughtfully:🎁 Tenant Appreciation Gifts: Small gifts such as gift cards, snacks, or holiday baskets (under $25 per tenant per IRS rules) can be deductible as a business expense.🏘️ Community Donations: Contributing to local charities, shelters, or community events near your property may be tax-deductible if donated to a registered nonprofit (501(c)(3)).🧤 Property Improvement Drives: Donating old appliances, furniture, or materials from renovations to nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity can qualify as a charitable deduction.Pro Tip:Before December 31st, review your receipts, invoices, and bank statements.

Lenders on commercial want to know you have a solid track record in project management.  

However most people don't want an eviction on their record.

You'll need it for your records if/when things go sideways.4. 

Request police runs via open records for the last 60-90 days that will help identify the bad actors. 6.

Finding Investor-Friendly AgentsLook for agents or companies with a track record of working with out-of-state investorsCheck BiggerPockets Marketplace and forums for agent recommendationsAsk for references from other investors - ideally those who have bought small multifamily or turnkey rentals in the areaTarget agents active in off-market sourcing, like direct mail lists, probate, or absentee owner leads3.

Keeping careful records and managing expenses is really the key to protecting your returns.

It’s a public record.

The IRS wants to see that you’re actively directing and managing the business — things like approving budgets, coordinating repairs, analyzing performance, and making operational decisions — not just reviewing reports or responding to occasional updates.So while it’s not impossible, it’s rarely achievable unless you’re very hands-on, even from a distance, and have solid time logs to back it up.If you’re interested, I can share a free REPS tracker that helps you record and organize your hours.