Rental Expenses

Yes. This is a deductible rental expense on IRS Schedule E.

No. Your prior year's disallowed losses will be allowed in full in the year of a full disposition. The current year's income or loss will be combined with the prior year's disallowed losses and the net amount will be allowed in full and is reportable on IRS Schedule E.

Expenses for improvements are treated differently than expenses for repairs and maintenance. Generally, expenses that will last for more than one year will be considered a capital improvement and therefore must be depreciated, as opposed to being fully expensed in the year of outlay. Putting up a new roof or installing a new furnace, paving the driveway, finishing a basement, putting in new plumbing or wiring are examples of capital improvements. Replacing a broken window or painting, fixing leaks or plastering are examples of deductible repairs. Speak to your local CPA about your rental property income and allowed expenses.

Special assessments on such things as sewer systems, local improvements or road repair, are not deductible real estate taxes. These costs would add to the basis of the real estate.

The total amount of your rental losses may be limited in the current year. If they are limited, the limited amount may be carried forward to future years. There are "passive loss" limitations involved with rental properties.
If you have rental income from other rental properties or other passive entities, you may use the rental loss to offset that passive income.
If the rental loss exceeds the passive income, the excess loss of up to $25,000 may be allowed if there is "active participation" associated with the activity and if your Adjusted Gross Income is less than $100,000 ($50,000 for Married Filing Separately).
For Adjusted Gross Income between $100,000 and $150,000 there is a phase out. If the Adjusted Gross Income is more than $150,000, then no part of the $25,000 Special Allowance is allowed in the current year.
Any disallowed loss in the current year may be carried over to future years. In general, "active participation" means you make management decisions. The passive loss limitation calculation is done on IRS Form 8582 and the 8582 worksheets.
Speak to your local CPA about your rental loss deductibility.

Generally yes, For Cash basis taxpayers, prepaid rents or advances of rental income are reportable in the current year. Enter your total rental income and expenses on IRS Schedule E.

For a residence, the additional costs you incurred are not deductible in the current year. They will be added to your basis for use in the calculation of gain or loss upon disposition. Examples of additional costs are lawyer fees, commissions, survey costs, title insurance, and recording fees. Any mortgage interest and or real estate taxes are deductible in the current year.

No. Costs associated with loss prevention, such as for burglar and/or smoke alarms, are not deductible.

No. You should receive a Form 1098 slip from your bank that itemizes your deductible mortgage interest and deductible points on your tax return.
Service fees such as commissions, appraisal fees, notary fees, abstract fees, recording fees are not considered points and not deductible in the current year.
These costs are added to the purchase price of the house to increase your basis. The acquisition costs, non-deductible closing costs, plus improvements over the years will be the cost basis used to determine any gain on the eventual sale of the residence.