While I certainly think that reducing retirement account contributions and investing in real estate could be a great option for an early retirement, it requires honest conversations and detailed projections around your current portfolio's performance and expected rate of return on future acquisitions.

With newer notes especially, partials reduce the discount.I'm not a fan of balloons for seller financing - especially shorter than 10 years.

Pretty,  as others have stated here, the permitting process through the City of Cape Coral has been hindered by their ability to scale up their staff to handle the massive demands for all permitting including new construction but also anything else that requires a permit, home improvements, sea walls, alternative sea walls, pools and more.From your post, I can see that you are frustrated, and I believe some of that is due to not understanding the steps and processes of new construction, including what must be done prior to submitting permits.

Maybe half upfront and reduce the rate of interest on the balance..

We have also negotiated attractive loan structures with many lenders including reduced fees for our community, free refinancing, lower rates, unique portfolio options, etc.

Which is not easy for possible for many people (like your husband).Once you really know what to do, the risk level drastically reduces.

Capitalize renovation costs to increase the property’s basis and reduce future taxable gains.

We certainly have found some deals that would reduce our living expenses compared to renting.

To them, everything takes "5 minutes" to do.The entire PMC industry has major challenges when it comes to handling maintenance, so it's a featured topic at most industry conferences. 

I live out of the area and have hired a property manager to handle the day to day business of my OOS rental because I have other work to do, because I don't live in the area, because I'm busy raising my family.