Agree with your approach, I would not formalize it so you still have flexibility, and I would think about 4-6 months instead of 3.

It’s always better to double-check with a qualified professional before making tax decisions.

A property tax appeal is a formal request to your county or appraisal district to review your property’s assessed value.

Time spent running a plumbing or contracting business generally doesn’t qualify, unless the work is specifically tied to properties you personally own and manage.

The main point still stands, though: if you qualify as a REP or materially participate in STRs, those deductions can be powerful.

@Wes Fromlath Good question, there’s quite a lot in here that would need further formal unpacking.

At the same time, I’ve backed that up with formal education, earning my MBA and completing IREM’s Certified Property Manager (CPM®) designation.That blend of experience and education has shaped how I work with investors: practical, no-nonsense, and grounded in what actually drives results.

In nearly all cases it's just a formality that confirms the seller isn't lying about who's on title and what liens they've got.

I have pretty much exhausted the friendly avenue, so will need to accelerate to the more formal resolution.

If you take a look at what is called "Originating a new loan" You have 20% down, a higher interest rate which translates into a higher payment and harder to "qualify" to a bank, you pay a loan "origination fee", etc.