The more I learn about REI, the more it seems to parallel Texas Hold'em, you wait and wait for the right cards to play and even when you get them there's no guarantee of winning the pot.

Is there anything he can do to 'sweeten the pot' to make this a deal for any exit strategy?

I can tell you that lower income may or may not be a PITA, the housing authority has some only cranky types, they have nothing better to do than stir the pot with tenants, complain to HUD, complain to maintenance and make demands, those folks do exist, but they are not the majority.That goes more to scio-economic aspects than age. :) 

My mother didn't have a pot to piss in, why would I file a probate?

Legal pub is not always required, and some estates may waive bond as we'll as some bench officers.As a fiduciary, I have a "master bond" which allows me to pull bond without application each time, if and when required.Typically, bond company (Bond Services here) picks up Petition and files in court for attorney in lieu of necessitating use of an attorney service.

Of course, the funds are still locked up until age 59 1/2, but in exchange for the extra amount you can build into that savings pot through the benefits of tax deferral, it can be well worth it.Ultimately, every investor should do both - save in a tax-sheltered retirement plan and invest in real estate with after-tax dollars.  

Basically, it's sh*t or get off the pot time for me.

Out of the pot and into the fire.

After a year or two and a dozen properties, add another city.I assume you have a big pot of money.

She's already got pictures of the druggies smoking pot and dealing drugs.