Plus, we can do math! 

Flaws in that math, not in  the strategy.If the math works - the strategy works.

The math behind Real Estate is not that complicated, Revenue - expenses and debt service = cash flow. 

OPRedo the math with the deceased spouse dying last year thus 1/2 of the $1.25m gain goes away.  

I recommend a simple spreadsheet to check your math and it will make it simple to adjust each year.End the complaints.

The only way to know if your idea is worth doing from a wealth building standpoint is to do the math:  What is the cost to acquire?

Personal finance is as much behavioral as it is math.

Also listen to them if it is difficult to get financing...they're telling you that your math may be off.

The reason I held off was my returns were higher than 90% of my competition in the Smokys and I am a math nut. 

My recommendation to serious real estate investors is buy an opportunity in any segment, do the math (it's all about the ROI; some investors fall for the 'commercial' is more prestigious chest thump to find that losing money isn't very prestigious at all), and plan on proactively running a business.