My name is Steven Woods 32y/o, I'm a fire fighter in the Los Angeles area and new to BP.

Hi Brian,It's intelligent to background check applicants (especially if they will be living with you): https://nypost.com/2020/07/29/connecticut-man-allegedly-decapitated-landlord-with-samurai-sword/Also note that the house was on "Asylum Avenue" -- coincidence (???)

I'd suggest a real estate license over a loan officer but that just m.I also know a couple of other Chicago Fire Fighters in real estate that I can connect you with.

A little about myself, I currently work for a major phone company and a volunteer fire fighter. 

We’re also both fire fighters so we have the time to put our own work and time into our investments for now, specifically enjoying the short term rental space and would like to continue buying these properties.My question is, does it still make sense to refinance?

The West continues to see year round fire season, which keeps four members of my extended family in job security as fire-fighters. 

Occasionally you will have a fighter but I just don't respond. 

I do the opposite, the inspector works as part of our team and is trying as hard as he can to find something "wrong" with the property where I as the professional can negotiate and get seller's credit for my buyers for example...If you trust your realtor, he/she becomes your ally, a professional fighter for you, focusing on YOUR best interest. 

@Mike Bianchi I would look at the Yale optimum asset allocation portfolio.You have enough wealth to not be all in with real estate and a little diversification at this stage will reduce your risk, according to Modern Portfolio Theory.I would recommend this allocation, it’s also available on the Financial Samurai website:1) 35% Low Cost Stock Index Funds2) 10% Low Cost Bond Index Funds3) 25% Real Estate4) 10% Cash5) 20% Alternative Assets (Private Equity, Passive Real Estate Syndication, Hedge Funds, Precious Metals, etc.)You may also want to do some search terms on Google like “All Weather Portfolio”, to understand how to allocate your wealth in a way that will have you sleep at night while making you richer.

Not an excuse but rough day - either that or after being in south fl real estate for the past years I'm like a punch drunk fighter who starts swinging when he hears a bell.