The other option is a Heier all in one combo unit, which washes and drys in the same machine, but I was warned by the appliance guy that they are expensive to fix, and the new ones come out to about $1100 now on sale with taxes and delivery included.  

Other than the carpets, does the spot wash off with a cleaning solution?

On the car wash business... this deal is to purchase 2 separate car washes in one deal, they are 2 auto touch free washes with 4 manual wash bays.  

So you will have an expense and an income washing them out.

I have set my eyes on starting my career in Los Angeles, but I haven't fully committed for fear that the potential of a newbie getting washed out in a market as big and as fast-paced as LA.

It's possible that the tax bill will end up being a wash if you can count taxes paid abroad against your US tax bill, but I'd suggest finding a CPA with plenty of experience with the Chinese system and how it intersects with IRS regs. 

Now, your soil profile will not change that dramatically over your life time... and if a couple of inches of topsoil washes away, it will not affect the pile.

Was he licensed and insured when you hired him? 

Cut grass, wash windows, gardening, what ever your community needs. 

They are Not responsible for someone's washing machine inside their unit malfunctioning......and it is Totally unreasonable for you to think they should be.