Mostly because we don't want to rent it but have had great experiences hosting international visitors years ago and are semi-retired so could spend some time elsewhere. 

As long as they make their payments, and you have a reserve I wouldn't worry about paying a property down while I'm in the "building" phase of my goals.When I get close to my semi-retirement age I'll focus more on paying off mortgages. 3.

Good luck in CA...I lived in LA (Compton & Long Beach) from age 9-18 and I am semi-normal.  

LOL.. also it just shows how regional all this stuff is.. it really is.. and this being national to semi world wide site.. everyone posts about their little corner or market and its the experience they have in that market..

I had a semi complicated Note JV program for rental props ( which has not been copied LOL )  and was looking for seed capital.. they were just too quick to promise me 5 million just needed to send 10k for due diligence.. ( which is not out of the realm of possibility with real lenders) So the dollars were small enough 10k.. and I knew bigger loans you normally have to pay something up front for due diligence..

Hello all - could really use some input on what you best recommend for this semi complicated decision that has been consuming my thoughts for 2 weeks now.

As an aside, his checking account showed a $30-40 liquor store purchase "semi-daily".

Great place to start investing if you want to stay semi-close.  

I'm interested in the long term benefits of rentals as semi-passive (whatever that is) income, including build and renting and BRRRR. 

I close on a 2970 sq ft (500 sqft below grade) semi-attached this upcoming wednesday. 2 family!!