I usually take a few deep breaths, hold it, go in, open a window and put a fan in the window blowing outside air in.

The refinancing idea only works on a relatively quick time scale if, for that same $120k subsequently appraised value, you only paid $90k (or less), all-in!

I have roughly $100K in a rollover 401k from a previous employer and I was thinking I could put that in a self-directed IRA to put a sizeable down payment on something that I could personally live in.

Yes, I'm looking for a property to live in.

Good morning everyone,This morning I woke and just started calling all the brokers in the areas I’m looking to invest in.

That's why a lot of RE investors don't bank on appreciation, especially if you put 0% down.I'm admittedly in a different situation than you (I'm single with no kids), but I found that I could rent a place in a neighborhood I wanted to live in way for less than the non-equity building costs of buying a house in a neighborhood I'd be ok living in. 

I just purchased a house a month ago, and after moving in, I noticed that the toilet in the second floor bathroom is not level.

Louis county are you looking in?

All too often, they go something like this: What’s the best thing to invest in?

Assuming you collected security deposit for down but tenant hasn't moved in?