Do most investors start by getting their own mortgages paid off, or is that not even a factor? I

I recently acquired a 10400 sq ft building that used to be a factory.

One other factor is that there is a hospital 3 blocks away that also owns a building next door and has expressed some interest in acquiring this property down the road (or at least that's what the agent told us).Is this a pipe dream?  

This was a glass factory for many years here but I really don't know what they do in there now.

Also a factor is whoever is processing the short sale on the seller's behalf, and if the seller has supplied all the correct documents/information in a timely manner.

The real deciding factor is what alternative investments you would switch to if you sold. 

and I'm now working as a nailer in a pallet factory ( about a month).

Indeed, i have no illusions of appreciation with this, and i already baked this into my analysis.I didnt consider the co signing factor, i suppose this is a wash as i would still end up with the mortgage if my tenants were to flee at my real property rental.Flipping some of these sounds fun, ill be looking more into that!

Foreclosures are a factor I would keep an eye on.

There have been other problems with other lenders, but the low loan value is the main factor. I