Any tips on how to phrase or word the request for info without sounding crazy or like your trying to steal someone? 

Here’s a strategy I’m always surprised more real estate investors don’t use:If your children legitimately work in your real estate business — things like:social media / content helpprepping a property (cleaning, staging assistance, organizing supplies)admin support or basic bookkeeping tasks…you can pay them a reasonable wage for real work.And that wage becomes earned income, which means they can contribute to a Roth IRA.So you’re doing two things at once:Reducing taxable income in your business (because wages are a deductible expense), andHelping your kids start building tax-free retirement wealth early.When a Roth IRA starts young, the compounding is no joke.

.: These guys are a joke.

They joked about going to the store to buy a skeleton to put in it.

LA rent control is no joke—it's a minefield.Don't try to DIY this.

😅All jokes aside, Having the work scheduled and documented shows you’re actively correcting the issue.

I like the phrase "you can't eat equity", but a personal home is the one piece of real estate I don't recommend thinking about that with.

What do you do to get past the "if it pencils" phrase and they do not explain further?

I hope this little tongue-in-cheek guide will help some investors new to our forum.Code phrases:- I recommend you work with a CPA specializing in real estate.- Hiring a specialized CPA can save you thousands.- It's important to find a CPA who understands real estate and is an investor himself.- I recommend finding a CPA who provides proactive tax planning.Translation: It's me who I highly recommend.Code phrases:- Bookkeeping is where all your tax benefits start- I recommend you work with a bookkeeper focusing on investors- You definitely should outsource your bookkeepingTranslation: I'm a bookkeeper.Code phrases:- Cost seg will definitely help you save on taxes- You definitely should consider cost seg- I recommend a full engineered cost seg study- The IRS only accepts engineered cost seg studies- I recommend you obtain a free estimate from a cost seg firmTranslation: I'm working for a firm doing full-service engineered cost segregation. 

To add my thoughts, you’ve likely heard the phrase 'Trust but verify,' as I did.