I had to make a business decision to either continue to supplement it at $750 per month for how many years and HOPE that not only would the rental rate increase, but also the equity. 

I think this looks like a nice home for somebody to live in and help supplement the mortgage or have a family member they want to provide housing for. 

It sounds like you had plenty of foresight early on that RE investing would supplement your retirement.

Finding an agent that is full time, and not in the business for extra income, supplemented retirement, or just for fun is important as well.

If they do $5 MM in loans every year, they can make an additional $50k to supplement their salary which is huge for them.But, at the end of the day, the underwriter makes the final decision on loan approval.

Nice topic/discussion with actual examples on what is required to acheive such a tough goal.I often think about trying to move into cash flowing properties full time but realize how tough it actually is to achieve and work involved.I have a nice supplemental income from it and continue on working on increasing my NET monthly + cashflow from my properties but kind of took a step back and am not trying to do this solely now.

The good investor agent will provide you w/ access resources to supplement whatever resources you may have.    

You can supplement your income with representing buyers and sellers while working on investing.  

I was outbid on a town home near the west Seattle super supplements a few weeks ago and we are in the process of submitting an offer for one in the south Delridge area.

There are just too many expenses to be an agent to be able to make it with no experience and no cash cushion or another job to supplement the income.