It probably slows down my ability to buy a pure investment property, but it gets me out of flushing thousands of dollars down the toilet each month and gets me into an appreciating asset, and it helps me save more than $1,000 in disposable income each month (not even including principal paydown).

If they were flushing golf balls down the toilet, yes.  

THAT will leak only when flushed.

Water heaters, I have flushed and if they aren't starting to rust, same thing I keep them but I place a water alarm by it just in case.

Are you "flush" with cash?

@Art Maydan,you would drill a pilot whole, use a BIG screwdriver to drive the metal anchor flush with the wall (drywall + portion of the stud) (pray you hit the stud on center and NOT AT AN ANGLE), dump the screw that came with the anchor, buy a longer screw of same type+size, drive the longer screw trough the shelf bracket, trough the anchor, hear a snap sound, continue driving into the stud 'till done.pat your self on the back. now you have the rest of at least 2 per bracket...or you can use a bolt (pat your self on the back. now you have the rest of at least 2 per bracket...)please use a level!

My first thoughts are:-No exposed wood or painted surfaces on the exterior-Coax cable outlets in every bedroom and living area-LVT in the common areas and wet areas-Concrete porch and patio instead of using a wood deck-Upgraded toilets with large flush valves and high quality internals-No bifold closet doors-Basic cabinets and countertops-A step up from Contractor grade for faucets -Solid wood interior steps instead of carpetedWhat am I forgetting?

I'm agreeing with everyone here and I'll add a few more points:if you need us to validate your decision to quit your job, you're probably not there yetif people start asking you why you're still working when you're flush in cash, you're probably thereI don't know why this is the case, but I've found it to be true several times in my life.One flip and $55k cushion is probably not enough to get you through 2 bad years, or maybe even one, especially if you are not flying solo.

I know it's not really a fun piece of advice to say "learn" but it's far better to make no investment than the wrong investment (especially if you're not flush with cash reserves).  

From what you're saying (old coal town) it doesn't sound like the area is flush with cash but you never know.