@Drew WilsonOne of the biggest mistakes I see most investors make is that they focus too much on cashflow and have high equity positions in their investments. 

I know I'll pay my dues but already feel that I have avoided costly mistakes thanks to the advice I have received here! 

There must be a mistake in the information, or the interpretation of it. 

Most of the investments were trust deed investments where I was a small fish swimming in a larger school, but they returned 8 to 10 percent and, naive or not, felt relatively safe to me.I have made some foolish mistakes trying to build wealth over my career (*cough* oil and gas *cough*), but I am grateful for them all.

I think everyone agrees that you've made some mistakes in this process.

Many people make the mistake of over-improving or doing the wrong type of improvements and it doesn't increase the value as much as what you put into it.

Am I makings a mistake?

A 2005 cash-out refi was likely one of the biggest mistakes (learning experience) I've made. 

Better to make rookie mistakes on a $130k property than a $400k property.

One mistake  and a good attorney and they will pierce your LLC, your LL insurance will usually not cover you for failing to use proper insured contractors and there goes your investments.