Whether you rent or own, your still paying a mortgage so I'm toying with the idea of buying it from my landlord.  

Although I 'm in NRH...I'd love to make it...and if @Rob Yeichner gets his little toy stuck in the mud, I'll pull it out with my 7.3L Scursion.... :) I say that in jealousy...nice jeep!

I'd always toyed with the idea, but after several years I find I still have the itch.

Last summer we bought a duplex in Marion Iowa and it has been a great investment so far, but we have been toying with the idea of adding another duplex on the same lot.  

My appreciation was 79.4% (365,000 / $203,500) in 3-1/2 years.Soooo - Be careful of the traps that prevent you from building your wealth - big houses, cars, vacations, toys....credit cards!

I've been toying with this idea in New England for a few years.

They also have a fiber optic camera where they take apart the shower fixture and insert the camera and can see behind the walls without tearing them up and can check for leaks.The rate is around 90 an hour for the 2 plumbers doing the test.Each unit the owner said would take about 30 minutes to inspect.If issues need to be corrected and fixed it would take longer.I really want to get these plumbing issues under control.I don't think the fee is that bad but wanted additional input.Had a great gut feeling meeting them just don't want to blow up the budget too much.I asked about the bigger opening toilet bowls to prevent clogging.He stated the bigger opening would help with excessive toilet paper and waste getting stuck but would not stop things such as toys,q-tips,tampons,etc. from clogging the line.So nothing is fool proof.

Actually, I'd lean toward a short sale, list above the payoff and you can go down.Probably needs to address his personal finances with a professional and maybe a shrink, divorce usually means for a younger guy, footloose and fancy free, dating and toys, again, I speak from experience but didn't go broke or get in trouble at it (LOL).He might also look into a loan modification if he's in default, get the payments down.

One thing will be a yearly toy fund that can be spent freely over the year and replenished once a year.

If you feel buy and hold is your best route, laser point focus is all I'll say.Many blessings,