This system tilts in our favor.Read up on the topic and find a tax preparer that understands the basics.

If you put extra money on the left end, the only thing that changes is that the lever tilts and the property slides closer towards you faster, but you are now controlling the property using much more weight on the left end (unnecessary). 

Instead, it is much better to roll up your sleeves, and diligently hunt for the right deal, be highly selective to make sure you buy a great deal, force appreciation if at all possible, and get in such that you can stay in through thick and thin if you need or choose to ... this will open up multiple exits and tilt the odds in your favor ... heads you win big, tails you win a little, but the house always wins and you're the house ... if you are unable to stack the deck in your favor then the best thing to do is not play the game until you learn enough to from those that do ... people sometimes say that going for appreciation is speculation and if you get it it is only because you are lucky ...

I am on the fence as to whether I want to self-manage or hire a property manager due to limited time and availability, but your recommendation may have tilted the scales back towards self-managing for me.I'm still taking central Illinois PM recommendations, though, if anyone has any.

Stay away from it till the tenants are evicted. usually state laws are more favorable to tenants than land lords (CA law is too tilted towards tenants), so it will take a while for the whole process to finish.

@Wesley WongMy suggestion about the political benefits of renting may be tilted towards the political reality in New York and SF.

I have tilted more toward real estate over the last few years and am very happy that I can add the value to see big returns.

I have found that the local property assessor’s values are often tilted towards the high end.

It is not easy for sure, but it is what gives you the investor edge on the market and tilts the odds dramatically in your favor ... heads you win big, and tails you win small, but the house always wins and you are the house.

Removing the old shingles would come at considerable additional time and even more so expense, and per the property manager (with about 30 years or of experience) one additional layer of shingles can be added without in any way compromising the roof's integrity due to weight or any other factors.Plus a total tear off would be a factor that would further tilt the needle in favor of a capitalization requirement.