Or should I keep doing what I’m doing now (Realtor), chipping a little bit of debt away a month at a time, but take out more debt to finance an investment?

If you have a security deposit, that's your bargaining chip.

Lead-base paints never really bother me unless they're chipping or peeling at which point I simply prep the area scrape any loose chips from the surface while keeping the area well ventilated, clean up any debris, primer over it once that's done and cover with paint...problem solved.

No chipping or peeling after a few months. 

I mean when we are done with our new construction homes the buyers always have a home inspector go through and there are always a few items.. that got missed .. you know cellulose in the crawl ( wood chips LOL).. reverse polarity.. chipped tile our folks out are way will even do a sewer scope.. and a radon test.. even though we have to put in radon pipes by code..

But at the same time leave some leveraged chips on the table in that crazy appreciation market you love to hate!  

Chip Ward

All it takes is a small chip and some 'shock' for the window to break. 

I'm so tired of spending so much time installing regular 10mm laminate flooring and the seeing water damage or tenant chips in this stuff.  

I will also chip in where i can.See you around the forums,Miles S.