Filling ashtrays with cat litter may also help eradicate the smell.When it comes to tobacco smoke, professional services are almost always required, and even they do not possess some magical potion or technique that will do the job in one fell swoop.

My point was contamination of the studs, bottom plate, joists, rim joists, etc, the sheetrock is replaced over the .....what could be contaminated framing, we don't have a good history to assess the issue or what chemicals could have been in the waters.The homes here were torn down due to the unknown, not because they couldn't be made to look pretty again.

The taxes sound really low for the 6 unit as my father in law lives in Mass. and has a small house there and pays over 5,000 in taxes.Make sure there is not a big rise in taxes or special assessments fixing to hit.

Have so much to learn before I become the skilled professional I plan to be.

I'm still new to the whole process as I've never taken part in any facet of a residential real estate transaction, so I feel more comfortable working with professionals who seem to have a good grasp on the process.Originally posted by Joshua Dorkin:Welcome to BiggerPockets, Ryan!

It does not however, wipe out code violations whether recorded or not, property taxes, govt assessments or HOA debts, again recorded ot not.I assume you mean buying at an actual foreclosure auction, where you're not buying the mortgage, you're buying the property.

The flaw in this plan, IMO, is a possible misunderstanding of how CA tax assessments work.

I'd also try reaching out to people you do business with now either professionally or personally.

When professionals in this business buy we know what the arv is and what the rehab cost is.

The remaining expenses carryover to the future as a Passive Activity Loss (PAL).Exception:If you qualify as a real estate professional, you are able to deduct more than the 25k allowance and are able to deduct passive real estate losses if you AGI exceeds 150k.Chris Masons, That is why I'm the Tax Guy.