The emotional attachment to the idea of paying off my mortgage early still looms large in my brain though.

Selling to someone who loves the home for an emotional reason will get much more money.

The biggest issue is that you'll be representing yourself, which means you are emotionally involved.

The numbers simply didn’t work so I stayed disciplined and resisted buying bad deals while it seemed like everyone was jumping in feet first.Today’s climate feels like that.

If you can identify your real drive, maintain consistency and discipline, and continue networking with other like-minded individuals, I think you will eventually find great success one day.

The thing I like about lots/land is there is a lot less emotion involved compared to houses. 

However, after reflection, I realized I was becoming too emotionally attached to my first investment after a 15-year break and faced challenges finding reliable contractors.Update (5/17/23):After three failed contractor attempts, I finally secured a reliable one.

Unfortunately, some choices are business decisions and you have to get over the emotions of the moment. 

Try to take a long-term view—it usually helps remove the emotional weight and allows you to think more clearly about the problem.

Buying or selling a home is a major financial (and emotional) undertaking.