Unless you only want one or two properties to have a little side income coming in, you need to have a healthy market for your units. 

When acquiring these old gems, or objective is to improve their energy efficiency by a minimum of 50% (40% on newer, post War houses) while updating the building to provide modern, healthy living spaces for our tenants.  

There are so many small MN towns that must offer healthy cash flow returns. 

There's nothing wrong with that lifestyle, but if money isn't a priority for you then you shouldn't be surprised when you don't have much of it. 

Home ownership is a lifestyle choice not a investment and is far more expensive than renting.It appears your life style choices are driving your decision making process.

They both have a welcome home in my rental property portfolio generating a healthy source of income and underlying appreciation.

As for the hiring of professionals such as Architects and Designers...some are narcissistic and don't take their client's wishes and lifestyle into account while other times the fault is the micromanagement of the homeowner. 

As you mentioned, the other part of the equation is more individual in nature...our intended lifestyles and what each of us gives up on the W-2 side.  

First step is to get your daughter healthy and save all documentation.

I had the opportunity to sell and make a healthy profit.