Hey BP - does anyone mind sharing an example of their real estate professional logbook?

But professional investors think in timelines, transitions, and pressure points.

How did you find your CPA or tax professional? 

I have a wedding/event venue in Maine, and I'm ready to move on (literally, I'm moving).

Readers should seek professional advice.

Hello,My fiancé and I are recently engaged and have received a gift of $200k from family to put towards wedding costs or a house however we see fit.

Documentation is everythingStrong agreement on the importance of:Move-in photos (date/time stamped)Move-out photosMove-in inventory/checklist completed promptlyClear, itemized deductions tied to actual repair costSeveral noted that good documentation dramatically reduces disputes, even when charging.Repeated Best Practices That Clearly WorkSet expectations early (this came up a lot)Multiple people described this as a game-changer:Define wear vs damage in the leaseRequire move-in condition forms (often within 7–10 days)“Plan for the divorce before the wedding”This reframes the deposit as:Protection against damage — not a repainting fund.Don’t let tenants do repairsSeveral landlords:Tell tenants not to patch holes or fix drywallPrefer to handle it themselves to avoid bad repairsOnly charge when damage is truly extremeBudget for paint and light spackle every turnA very consistent message:You should expect paint and minor drywall work every turnoverDeposits are not meant to cover routine refresh costsOwners need to understand this upfront to avoid frustrationContext Factors People Consider (but don’t abuse)Mentioned multiple times:Length of tenancyNumber and age of occupantsOverall condition of the unitWhether damage is isolated or widespreadBut even with context, the dominant rule is still:Would this look fair to a neutral third party?

Do the Schedule E losses knock out Schedule C self employment taxes for the realtor who is a real estate professional?

Hello BP family! I wanted to post a screenshot of the real estate time log we have made available for clients. We try to keep it simple, and provide examples in the guide for people that are not sure what counts and w...

In order to fully benefit from the tax advantages, you must either meet the Real Estate Professional (REP) status and materially participate in the activity, or I would recommend considering a Short-Term Rental (STR) strategy to reclassify the income as non-passive.