Now this is just my opinion but I would never sugar coat anything to do with losing money... mine or yours. 1.

anybody in the stafford, sugar land in texas area ?

Solution #1 - Austerity - it would eventually turn the ship around - but that's 5 or more years of under-consumption, increased savings and paying down debt.. living below our means - which means a sustained weak economy (high unemployment, demand destruction and a slow leak in asset prices).

I assume Marriott is getting much more competitive pricing on 4000 units than I can get as a regular guy buying 1.I suppose you could probably break even with maybe some sugar on top if you want to use it yourself but just seemed like I could double (or more) the gross income in a stronger STR market for the same investment amount. 

I live in Sugar Land and work in Pearland. 

We both make a very decent income but we don't see any of it because we have had a high consumption lifestyle for far too long.It's good that you found that discipline and took control over your situation to realize your goals.

But way too many people "sugar" coat the business and the true facts about it.  

Your in a dip and are a little nervous because you been on a little bit of a sugar high.

I tend to agree with him.I am not sure what part of that $300 is due to my irrigation since I don't know his "normal" consumption rate.I have dialed back the timer to water now only 10 minutes on MWF.There is also a possibility of a leak, but I doubt it.Any recommendation on what's the best way to handle this?

Impact of climate change and consumption habits on your rentals must be factored in these days as does the resiliency of the portfolio based on the local industries and how they can be impacted by things like fires, storms, even decreased demand for fossil fuels.There are other things to consider but I’ll stop now....