I’m not exactly sure who would have been liable, etc if we accepted it as a bonus., but we immediately paid off the first lien. 

Appreciation is not a bonus or luck, it is literally the number one wealth-generating force in real estate.

Also the Adelson family of Las Vegas Sands fame have purchased a couple of big parcels with hopes to build a giant casino/convention resort perhaps anchored by the arena for the Mavericks for which they also just purchased majority ownership from Mark Cuban. 

The local casino just replaced free charging with 50c/kwh (4-10x the home price.) when they figured out people were just leaving their car there to charge while they went home.

I can add about $1000 a month to my savings and whatever bonuses I receive to it as well. 

So you takes your chances and pays your money at some point.I was viewing the built in equity as the "bonus" of financing it myself through the bank rather than the builder doing it.

Real estate pros buy property using leverage and bonus depreciate to perpetually defer taxes.

There is also the added bonus of networking with future colleagues in the class, finding accountability partners, etc.I got licensed online with real estate express.

I've been seeing constant ads for Baselane, which I'm guessing is newer by the bonus incentives being offered and the amount of advertising.

In your case looking to larger assets where you can effeciently cost segregate to gather bonus depreciation would be a smart move.Appreciation - Where in the country is the asset class you like growing or going to be growingAmortization of the loan - What sector or even region if you look locally for funding, is going to offer the most favorable lending so that less goes to interest expense and more to pay down of principle.Have fun with a spread sheet comparing these 4 returns from your investment with the type and location of assets you find attractive.