At that wall, you'll find yourself going to a bank for a commercial type loan, owning say four properties without enough cash flow to pay the full stroke on a new loan.

My goal is the FEWEST high quality units that will keep up (and ideally exceed) inflation and pay my living expenses (with reasonable margin) ... beyond that is just extra hassle and extra risk for the privilege of buying a yacht to try to water ski behind IMO (or some other useless toys that ends up owning you and serves to only stroke your own ego).

Different strokes for different folks. 

I know this thread can be "what-if'ed" to no end, but I'm just looking for the broad strokes.

I had a stroke about 41/2  years ago and I need something I can.

I have found that painting broad strokes and giving the guys just a bite keeps them interested enough where it works in a productive manner for me.  

Or maybe there are some other factors you haven't included.To broad-stroke an entire class of people the way you did is just not right and definitely not fair.  

Jury-rigging will come with time.I just paid a plumber $351 yesterday to retro-install a backflow check valve on a sewer line, so I'm not against paying a pro when necessary, but seems like everybody prefers to just sit back and stroke big checks these days.     

I had a severe stroke and a brain anurism a few years ago.  

I had a severe stroke and a brain anurism about 41/2 years ago.