It may make sense to sell before high maintenance costs if you realize good appreciation, but that doesn’t seem to be the case in your situation.

I believe this is the case in AL?

I would look for Real Estate markets that allow entry point in 160k-250k range, it allows you to liquid your asset if it happen to be the case in future. 

That is exactly the case in the downtown Greenville,  SC area too.Also there are 33 people per day moving here.I have a house I paid 6k for at a tax sale many years ago.

There is a famous case in San Francisco a few years ago where a local couple bought the HOA property like sidewalks and streets, in an expensive neighborhood.   

Case in point, several unhappy clients above.

Case in point: daughter needed to replace her car, which she's had for 8 years.

then you better hang onto him.A case in point - when I worked with a money partner and I did all of the things you listed i.e. everything except the money - I got 50% of the final profits....and my partner was happy to pay it.And yes, you are taking all of the money risk....but you will still be taking all of the money risk with a average or bad Contractor if you aren't careful.

Not being on a lease helps her case in court not yours

A court case in Maryland has ruled against it.