The inspector showed us where the beams are bowed and recommended that we get a structural engineer in before we take another step.

I agree...mainly because of the large percentage of investors here that focus on 1 or more of three things that won't get them there:1 - BRRRR2 - Returns based on % of investment3 - Paying off properties....and not on the three most important things that can get them there:1 - Understanding what cost to the REI really is, and the importance of recovering it FAST2 - The difference between spending and using their "seed money", and applying the power of compounding to it3 - NEVER doing any deal with negative CF

That is the 8th wonder of the world, compound interest and you are on the borrower side, not the lender side.

Are the sides of the [pool showing any "bowing" or chips & cracks?

You have a great point that I hadn’t considered, but I am in agreement with you.Further compounding the issue, at least in tourism areas, is the phenomenon where wealthy folks buy old homes that were being rented by the room, and replacing them with summer mansions (or winter mansions) and the supply of rentals continues to dwindle.If we’re already at a deficit of rentals, and aren’t building enough, then you’re right-we can’t become a “renters nation”.

If it is withdrawn, you cannot replace the sum withdrawn in the future, so that chunk of principle is lost to future compounding -- fully tax-free.   

After 4-6 years of compounding maybeCurrent cap rates are 3-9% in real estate and you are looking for near 20.

The same goes for compound interest in stock market investing.

This is compounded if she is a lonely, dying elder person.The lawyer involved in the transaction should have provided at a minimum a warning of the risk.I am currently involved in a case from the other perspective. 

Compound this by multiples and you can see that the top earners and savers have the largest incentive to invest..errr..spend their capital quickly and efficiently.