I started with Podio (Premium) and already I am seeing it's limits without having to spend a lot of time customizing it or hiring someone to do it or even paying a monthly fee to some third party.

While I don't object to spending money to do one's due diligence, I don't know if $500 is called for when you can get very high quality syndication groups/meetups/information for free.

At one time, I told people to spend money on a skip trace so they could file the in personam QT lawsuit (the one where you can served lawsuit papers on all defendants) and avoid the expense of the in rem QT lawsuit (the one where you need a GAL).

They yield results, but I understand a lot of other people have jobs where they cannot spend so much time on their listings. 

If your current lender is open to restructuring, you could negotiate better terms (lower rate or extended term).

By the time I retire, I want to have enough rental properties to have financial independence to enjoy my hobbies and enjoy spending time with my family and watch my children grow up.

Maybe he's already charging above-market rates and needs to adjust expectations.I don't see the justification for spending $12,000 to install electric baseboard in four apartments.

Don't spend your time with other agents as a focus. 

Hope to spend more time here in retirement.

I guess I'm not surprised, but how disrespectful.What I picture in a commercial wholesaling business is an individual who spends years building relationships with actually owners.