It’s a great way to lower your taxable income and improve cash flow.4.Dividend-Paying Stocks/Covered Calls: If you’re still leaning toward investing in the stock market, dividend-paying stocks or using covered calls could provide steady income while reducing risk.5.DSCR Loans: You’re already on the right track with DSCR loans—a great option to keep scaling your portfolio without relying on W2 income.Hope this helps give you a few more ideas!

And this means that we are earning interest at ~ 4.5% to 5% or so on the balance we are holding back.

It did help us reduce the barrier or entry and the payout turnaround was quick.

I’ll bear the frustration for the former, knowing it is venting/frustration earned from years past, and I’ll consider feedback on the latter as actionable to inform present-day decision-making.

As Trent mentioned above, the only way I'm taking a chance with a new co host without experience is if they are grinding their way through cold calls and earn my respect. 

The risk profile for someone who's a local GC and has worked on structural rehab buying a portfolio in a building is quite a bit different.Also, situations like this where professionals can properly evaluate risk and bring in capital to solve the problem of said older folks is a way to earn income and make a positive impact (assuming you're not low balling the distressed, fixed income seller).

For example, I  never hear stories of the turn key provider spending extra sound proofing between units or investing in better quality fixtures or other high touch building materials so that the end buyer can enjoy reduced maintenance costs and better tenant engagement.

You deserve every penny of profit you earned!

Would this not reduce the number of potential buyers brought to the table when the realtor can't use the largest marketing platform to its full advantage (aka the MLS)?

A construction lender may be willing to take out your current loan and use the home as additional collateral for the construction reducing or maybe even eliminating any cash needed for the development phase.