When you have strong financial discipline, then you'll be ready to invest.

Consider the emotional aspect too. 

Financial discipline is essential.

Let the reader determine which of the responses makes more of an emotional connection.Not saying that's what happened, but an interesting hypothetical... :-)

It’s emotionally draining, but I’m determined to honor his legacy by building a real estate portfolio, just like he did.On top of that, I’ve faced a lot of loss in recent years.

Those who do understand it aren’t struggling.Here’s the common flaw: people think a circumstance equals motivation.Foreclosure = motivatedTax lien = motivatedAbsentee owner = motivatedThat’s just not true.Motivation is an emotional response to a circumstance, not the circumstance itself.Let me give you an example.

I wonder if the disciplined, long-term play is better than having the cash now.

They may be more emotionally concerned, but that doesn't mean they are better at the job.Why are millionaires and billionaires using financial managers, property managers, nannies, and maids? 

The emotional / confidence factor does matter when it comes to conviction to hold over the longhaul.4) Are you improving or decreasing in the quality of area you are going into in order to acheive this cashflow in PGH?

And, especially if your goal is to build a portfolio to live off of, bad deals (and even marginal deals), will keep you from achieving that goal much more than slowing down and waiting for better deals to surface.But beyond that, I also find I get most burnt out when I am invested in deals emotionally and with time.