I'm deploying some in stocks, some oil, some crypto.. and want exposure to RE. 

It just costs more.We've almost completely switched back to gloss oil paint for the kind of extensive foursquare trim in the houses we prefer.

Smells of cooking or smoking are likely to do so as well.Having said all of the above, the flats I'm familiar with have rented reasonably well at market rents.

So, slightly different in the structure but can still be of service to those of us that had a loss.And while I am referencing Texas these are the same links to use anywhere in the country at any time for a declared "Federal Disaster Area".Feel free to share this information with anyone that you know that might have been impacted by these storms and maybe this can help them in some way.To apply a claim as an individual use this link: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/To apply a claim as a business use this link: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistanceAs of this post the counties declared as a disaster area in Texas are as follows: Austin, Bell, Calhoun, Collin, Cooke, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Eastland, Ellis, Falls, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Henderson, Hockley, Jasper, Jones, Kaufman, Lamar, Leon, Liberty, Montague, Montgomery, Navarro, Newton, Polk, San Jacinto, Smith, Terrell, Trinity, Tyler, Van Zandt, Walker and Waller counties.

I very nicely asked the guest and he said it was smoke from cooking.

Yes, Florida does seem to have an unusually large number of con artists and snake oil salesmen.

Once installed, best to have them on predefined schedules, as they’re only 3x as efficient as gas/oil when they’re working to maintain constant temps versus changing it up/down over time.

@Dylan Cook "Only 4 rentals"...that's more than many of us!

If you are going to refinish, what I'd do is sand, clean, and put down multiple layers of oil based polyurethane.I would not stain the wood.

But I guess you are the guy who brings his own steak to a restaurant and asks how much just to cook and serve it ?