It took A LOT to get here, there were many bumps and bruises along the way, but the end is now a reality.

Ask for financials on the properties for the last two years and start poking holes in the numbers.I don't know a damn thing about commercial real estate, but like everything else, getting to a point where the data you are looking at is close to reality is the first step.Good Luck!

In reality, by not using an agent, your not only giving yourself a lot more work, your likely losing money.  

Ba dum bum...In all seriousness, the reality is that there's simply too much risk for all three to be combined.

It's reassuring to hear that same message from different sources because I can accept this reality and then do something about it (i.e. push through those tough months with my eye on my long term goals).

You might need to brace yourself for some (more) hard-hitting responses suggesting reality checks.My own advice is: please do NOT rely on turnkey providers to get you closer to your future goals, for the simple reason that ALL the cream will already have been taken out of any profit, by you buying properties off THEM!

So in reality, a downturn might increase your pool of potential renters.  

But in reality, the price you paid for the property is completely meaningless and irrelevant (except for tax purposes, which are minor in this case).

Since I figured I would make the basement kitchen a reality later, years down the road, I wanted to keep the infrastructure simple and have an electric stove top.

Especially if in reality the carpet has lived most of its useful life and its time to change them anyway...I totally get the desire to want to stand by your principles.....and I hate to cave to tenants since it also trains them to be a PITA to their next landlord.... but its s business and you have to pick your battles and move on