take the money you earn - the CASH FLOW - you earn NOW from your real estate investing and invest it back into more real estate...as you compound your money - start putting money away in different investment vehicles like IRA's and the like, if you choose.but now...if you take out equity on your home - HELOC or refi - you pay 5% interest on that money and earn 5% in IRA...and in a CD, heck YOU'LL BE LOSING MONEY.and note - that i'm not figuring in INFLATION which is killing people who think that saving is investing...savings = 5% interest earned per annum (if you're lucky) MINUS 4% inflation - 30% taxes...you're money is "earning" next to nothing...

I would say "yes" for several reasons, such as the commissions become an extra revenue source and you have certain privileges a non-realtor buyer/owner won't have, like greater access to properties at various times in the transaction.However, as with any endeavor in life, you have to decide what the highest and greatest use of your time is based on your own unique circumstances and traits. 

So yes, it is important to check the landlord-tenant laws for your jurisdiction.I would not accept the dog, but if you do, get the maximum security deposit that the law allows, charge additional rent for the privilege of keeping the pet, and inspect often.

Generally, without violating attorney-client privilege, were the results positive/negative/mixed? 

If you took the $5k and had a 12% return for 10yrs straight compounded it would be $15,529 which doesn't change your life. 

Around here many counties charge about 15k just for the privilege of connecting to water and sewer.Also consider new and used home costs and moving tear down and assembly.

Then your investments start compounding and it’s easy to scale from there by trading up with 1031 exchange and refinancing.People will spend $100/month and wait there entire life trying to win $1M on scratch off tickets to retire broke, but if they would make the sacrifices above for 2-3 years they have the fortune.  

I am sure you realize that it needs to be paid back in a short amount of time (usually 10 years from the day you secured the HELOC) with compounding interest.

Hello Sage (love that name) my name is Christina Clark and I wanted to ask you about your tlo connect I have a list of people I wanted to see if I can get in contact with some are deceased and I would like to get next of kin I heard good things about TLO but not everyone has the privilege of being able to use them thank you so much if you can @sagewhite

However, it definitely allows you to build wealth faster as tax sheltered money can compound with impressive speed.