Now if this sounds like something out of a movie script it should be.

use the money for a down payment.)stop buying Starbucks, going to movies, eating out, buying "things" and save, save, save...hey, no one said it would be fun, but what do you really want?

If you go the gut-and-rehab route you might get dinged for change orders for things found as the project progresses and you'll feel like you're in that '80s movie, Money Pit. 

Btw, sounds like a god damn movie out there lol.

Other options is owner financing, lease options, and airbnb Not sure if this applies but maybe corporate housing, registering home to film commission of the state for movie, tv, and photo shoots, and rent out your roof to energy companies.

To me it’s similar to the FBI warning that comes up at the beginning of an NFL game (or movie or whatever).

Rent movies from the library

If rents increase over the years the rate of return will increase each year.And I did speak to a couple commercial brokers a few weeks ago and felt like I was talking to used car salesmen from the 80's, or someone from the boiler room movie.

I like watching movies, TV and reading books.

We have enough money to live very comfortably next to the richest movie stars, but we really enjoy living the most simple and non-materialistic life a person can live.We live in a commercial building at out plumbing company with concrete floors, raised two children in this building  who now go to college and we own zero furniture.