Once upon a time, it was thought that getting a sheepskin was like finding the golden ticket to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, but if you recall in the movie only 1 out of the 5 ticket finders actually won "the prize" at the end. 

Location is only one factor is that equation. 

I than add a % for unforeseen based upon age of unit, the older the bigger "fudge factor". I

Yeah walking out of that toy factory as the other elves were laughing at us was much worse than what Rudolph had to go through.That's why we're trying to get into Real Estate.

The key is that it's not the cheapest and it's premixed from the factory, so, it is very consistent between batches.

Los Angeles County says 3 years of tenancy  or longer and no charge for any paint.I touch up even after 13 months...takes about 4 hours for a one bedroom, blending in same factory premixed color as original, no ceiling.I think for rentals, they should be "freshened up" between every tenancy, even if you could get away with not doing it. 

While the numbers may work out OK, the complexity factor is pretty significant.

The mother was left to deal with these loans and works full time in a factory just to pay the bills.

The experience factor is significant as well.Overall, I don't think you have a bad option.

REI appeared to give me some glimpse of hope that I can do something with myself, instead of working in a factory, or flipping burgers.