Every year you wait is another year losing out on interest tax deductions, and loan principal decreasing.

My real fear is rents decreasing as I am prepared for equity to move up or down.  

One way or another, however, the investors must work to pay down loans, increase rents and decrease expenses wherever possible.

Nicholas,Before replacing a toilet, measure the rough in or make sure your plumber measures before buying.To measure accurately, measure from the wall–NOT the molding–to the bolt caps.It seems weird that you have 9 inches to the center of the flange.Why not just return the wrong toilet and buy a 10 ".I would avoid cutting into the wall, any time you jury rig something it will decrease the value of your house.

Do you ever see a decrease in price in rent during a crash in lower economic areas or is it a relatively flat monthly price for rent?

Normally investors do not want to pay off rental properties as their goal is to increase their investment income not decrease it.For a investor it is sacrilegious to have cash lying dead in a property.

The likelihood that all places will be vacant as once decreases as you get more properties.

Assets hold value except in a rapidly decreasing market.  

We also wait before granting the borrowers a permanent loan modification until either the 13 or 25 months so that if they comply with the trial modification or forbearance agreement then the chances of them defaulting decreases.

Expenses decrease your net worth.