Quote from @Tom Hall: My mortgage rate is very high  and I would like to pay some of it off, so that my monthly payments would go down a bit, I dont know if it is financial smart to do it or not?

Other advice, especially that pertaining to tax benefits, is also highly appreciated!

There isnt any one magic "cheapest" loan - it will be highly specific to the deal.

For active investments I advocate considering how you can diversify WITHOUT ceding your competitive advantage nor the superior profitability of the niche your in.As an example my business is running an investment fund and syndication high interest commercial mortgage loans secured by income producing real estate. 

We go above and beyond when it comes to protection.. starting with insurance coverage, sings in the listing and in the property that there is no guard on duty (as silly as that sounds), putting extra locking device high enough so youngsters can't reach, an alarm/beep system to alert them that door opens for those with small children (or elderly) so they cannot wander out in the backyard with no one noticing and risk drowning.

I know your involved at a high level with Board of Realtors and state regulators .. 

Nobody likes to work hard in the heat.The biggest concern in the past has been winter, but 2024 was the warmest year on record and we have seen +3F on average in every season, which really took the edge of winter (you can call it brown grass season now) while summers are pleasant 75-85F.The cost of living is low, yet the quality of live is relatively high.

Saw some new building going on around Lawerenceville with high asking prices..close to L.A prices it seems.https://www.redfin.com/PA/Pittsburgh/4618-Carlton-...

I have not done stats but there is a high failure rate for people who are walking the property every day.

We’re really best suited for those high income earners out there with strong investment experience and cash positions to literally take the reigns and create a strong cash flow product and tax write off for them with minimal time spent on their part.