- Exactly why I led with the above statement.  

No Steve, there really was a lack of comps in the area that led to the poor appraisal, in my mind and the sellers.

I was very happy with my progress and was thinking “best case scenario I am able to buy another unit in about a year” This led me to think “small” in relative terms.

We typicall upgade lighting by popping in recessed LEDs on dimmers where previously lamps on switched outlets were used, maybe some paint or LVP, but usually not much. 

So, I cancelled it and they took those away.We were led to think initially that once we pay $25k, we would be set up with our own personal team starting with CPA but it never happened.

Which essentially led me to the website.

Then, I again getting worried asked about filing tax returns and asked if they would still be $2000 or less, and was led to believe that “yes, that about what’ll be”.Well, we got a bill for $2684.25 and my wife said we are moving on from this CPA and finding someone else who “won’t charge us $575 to answer a couple of email questions”.

Glad there are people out there in those trenches fighting those battles (the line for legal aid clinics in that central valley city in CA was out the door, down the hall, and sometimes spilling outside) but for me education led me to both a career (took a college job were my degree was required) and real estate.Another note...

I'll look into those points.I've heard property owners talk so casually about adding a second or third unit; it led me to think it there wouldn't be a significant issue beyond the cost of the addition.Between meeting with a planner at the county building, reading the municipal code, and learning from people on the forum, this has been a valuable learning experience both in the particulars of adding a unit and generally in doing my homework.So, I'll take the disappointment of not being able to add a third unit in exchange for an education.

Exploring ways to decrease taxes led me to real estate and it's wealth of other benefits.