I would go ahead and buy his training, rather than ask questions here, if I was hyped up and looking to sign up with the program.  

Hey Steven, Great question, and it’s smart that you’re thinking ahead about protecting your investment.

A typical five-piece surround is held together with glue and caulk, and without maintenance, it will fall apart and just cause you more problems.Instead, go ahead with a two-piece surround or even a tile surround.

I forged ahead, moved into the house and used credit cards to partially improve the property before they maxed out. 

It seems like I need to check further away from the DMV area.My feelings are if you want “cash flow” you should buy a bond (I really like the tips rate right now) there is next to no reason to buy real estate for cash flow, if you are going to buy you should buy with appreciation in mind, which is not to say that’s the route I’d go, I’ve been liquidating properties to put in stocks and money market funds over the last few years and u just did the math and I’ve come out well ahead, but just to say there are arguments for stocks/bonds, there are arguments for levered appreciation, but the cap rates pretty much anywhere aren’t worth it vs an inflation protected bond, especially since a 3/rd of inflation is real estate anywhere, you could get “cash flow” and inflation protection much easier through a tips.

I created the following decision tree diagram to illustrate the decision process (click to enlarge).The above decision process is based on the property’s performance record, with the goal of achieving financial freedom in mind.Financial freedom is not just replacing your current income.

I just wanted to give you guys a heads up.

All are profits/income tand you are still coming out ahead, even if you have to pay taxes on them. 

I now inform all prospective buyers ahead of time that I will send my painter in as a 1 time courtesy once they complete their move-in to touch up hallways.

Your solutions are contradictory and are equivalent to clicking your heels three times to solve your problems.