Brandon Turner has an awesome podcast called "Better Life".  

Financial freedom goes beyond simply replacing your current income—it's about sustaining your lifestyle for life.

There are lies everywhere in life, even some right on this forum!

Imagine what your life would look like if you had held onto all that real estate from 20-30 years ago.

And yes, buy your own home/property, you will have much more control over your life. 

Here is another post on this subject from BP:Learn to Live Life on Your Terms through Real Estate Investing on BiggerPocketsPlease note I have not taken this course or have info on it, just posting what I found on a quick search of this site.

Virtually everyone has used an electric range or oven in their life but lots of people have no experience at all with gas anything. 

Pictures are a life saver if an issue arises at a property!

In your case, it sounds like a similar story.. you identified a property with potential, tackled the structural work, and brought it back to life in a way that justifies a higher price.

A stress-free life is the best life.Why have 100 properties when you can live the lifestyle you want with less houses that are paid off.A paid-off house also is one less obligation that you have, no monthly mortgage payment that you have to worry about.