I don't quite live in a trailer but your understanding is correct.
1) To clarify, I've always listed the property in question as my permanent address since college, and continue to do so when filing my taxes as an independent.
I believe I have more than enough interest in the home since I've lived there on and off throughout the past year thanks to work from home. From what you're saying, this should be sufficient on the off chance that I am audited since it could at least qualify as a "second home".
2) You bring up a good point about my father's income. He most likely won't make enough to benefit from claiming the property tax payment as a deduction. Whether I do contribute at this point is more or less a question of filial piety.
3) Neither early withdraw from IRA nor adding my name to the deed sounds like wise decisions here. I will confirm with my CPA to just pay the mortgage for now and maybe the taxes (no deductions) and forget all that other stuff.
Thank you for your help!
