I figure to overcome fear, and actually see that REI'ing isn't as scary or intimidating as it seems, I actually need to buy that first property.

This is the kind of business where you pay for your education through mistakes and over coming obstacles.  

With that said, I am a somewhat debt adverse guy  (although you could not tell from my balance sheet) , but I am still voting for you to rehab that unit.  

I'll contact you later" type of response).Trouble for me is, I live overseas, so physically visiting this person is a bit difficult, but I'm not adverse to the idea, for the principle of the matter.My question is, at what point do I call the police? 

In those stories of how you had to overcome specific setbacks and obstacles is where the true knowledge gets tapped into on this site.  

The key is to know your markets, know how to market, and be technically proficient in what you do, and that will go a long way towards overcoming any trivial objections.  

Sometimes you can overcome these hurdles with a higher down payment as was suggested above.Good luck!

I guess I am just a long term debt adverse guy myself.. been there done that when banks called my LOC's it was butt ugly and very painful.. retirement what retirement back to work Jay... and get on BP and network instead of golfing everyday and flying and fishing..

Call me crazy ,but I am trying to keep her at the house where she is familiar with her home,and have read moving her will have detrimental adverse effects on her life.

So, that could be an interesting challenge to overcome.