The issue is: where do I find a legal basis/precedent to knock this down before I spend ALL of my retirement fund standing up for this principle in my so-called Golden Years?

Also if you know what it take to repair something then when you own a hundred doors you stand a better chance of not getting ripped off if you choose to pay someone to make the repair.  

Although our portfolio is growing substantially and we've got solid income coming in, I'm not sure that it's quite at the point where it would stand alone on its own and command financing options (without my wife's W-2 income). 

I would consider lowering the price or offering some bonuses like 50% off the second month's rent to make your property stand out from the crowd.

REI is a stand alone investment platform. 

A lot do not read instructions, do not understand materials, do not stand back and think for a minute...what happens when???

A small stand alone building on an oversized lot, and 1.5 acre plot of land.

Currently the tenant does not have a  written lease with the current owner and the current owner is too timid to stand up and give them 48hour notice.

Stand by your lease agreement from day 1 and keep a professional relationship.

That could be a stand alone building for $200K or two small $100K buildings, or 20% of a building that costs $1 mil.