@Jeff Sechrest I tend to agree - if you’re buying homes in the $2k to $6k range that are already 90%+ depreciated, your payback period on your cash outlay is probably 2 years or so and then you have cashflow until the unit has exhausted all of its value.

If the issue is lining a chimney for exhaust for furnace or water heater talk to a good HVAC guy. 

I feel the investment climate has changed radically since my last post and wanted to get some advice on the safest places (diversification, I believe, is key) to park the remaining cash that would generate enough passive income to semi-retire (these recent deaths have left me emotionally and physically exhausted and I feel I need a year or two to recover on a beach somewhere).

Again, I know the spread is pretty close, the house is in good condition, just want to exhaust all options for me to help this woman.

After exhaustive research and reading on BP, I came to the conclusion that sourcing my own off market properties was the ONLY way, IMO, to make significant money both short and long term and to stay in my local market instead of buying midwest properties that will never appreciate, not to mention the distance issues. lets compare to buying turnkey shall we?  

I think an 89 wouldn't need an exhaustive inspection...

Not fun, but better than not eating.You also have to decide what you want and be willing to pay the price to get it, for me it was hooking up with a contractor, working for peanuts, leaving 5:00am, getting home at 9:00, getting paid for 8hrs, exhausted doing it over and over for a year, until I had learned the skills and was able to go on my own with what I had learned.I suggest you spend your free time here instead of bigger pocketshttp://www.daveramsey.comIf you give me your address ill pay for and have ramsey ship you the materials you need for an upcoming class in your area.

The team exhausts every effort to make a deal work and they are very fast. 24 hour turnarounds, well run business.

Its exhausting…..6.

Now I am thankful I have the ability to do the rehab myself and it is a competitive advantage for sure but man is it exhausting over time.