The guru's that promise to teach you the secrets are often packaging generic information and selling it at phenomenal markup to people that want to get started but often do not have the resources to start and the fee they are charged simply puts them further behind. 

Most likely wait.Everything I (and other commenters) said is generic and could be wrong once we examine the full picture.Here is an intro to depreciation which might clarify some of the issues: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1121063-expla...

Do you use skip tracing services, batch tools, or something local/county-specific that works better than the generic searches? 

The derogatory term, derived from "McDonald's," describes the generic, tasteless nature of these homes.

This is the table I use for selecting which activities work for REP and MP.Activities that Count for REP and MP✓ Acquisition analysis, financing, negotiations, closings✓ Rehab planning, supervising contractors, buying materials✓ Tenant showings, screening, leasing, Section 8 work✓ Bookkeeping, CPA prep, property-specific travelActivities Countable for REP but Weak for MP⚠ REIA meetings, networking, general market research⚠ Education/training not tied to your own propertiesActivities that Do NOT Count✗ Passive investor oversight (reading PM reports only)✗ Travel not tied to property tasks✗ Generic webinars, speculative browsing, hobby research

So many hosts waste their prime real estate with Airbnb (the listing title) on generic adjectives and throwaway opinions, something like "“Charming Cottage with a Beautiful View.”What do you think of the tips in the forum thread - Fast Fixes to your Airbnb Title

Great post, Mark — this hits home.I’ve seen the same issue catch investors off guard, especially those relying on generic CPAs who don’t understand the unique tax mechanics of real estate.

This is a good sign that they're serious and not just blasting deals to a generic email list.They are Transparent: They will tell you upfront if they're assigning a contract or doing a double close.

It also comes with a restaurant that hasn’t been in service for 40 years, but the structure is in surprisingly good shape.Here’s what I’m thinking through so far:Standard due diligence: +Phase 1 and 2 environmental, city plans/zoning, health department approvals for bringing the restaurant back online.Talking to the Army Corps of Engineers and the local harbormaster about dredging (not something I’d do immediately but want to know long-term outlook) and figure out generic cost for budgeting purposes. 

For the tracker, I would just have a simple Excel sheet without generic entries