If I put all of my eggs in one basket (Florida in this case), paid off property and a hurricane blows everything away, FEMA is nowhere to be found and the insurance companies take years to pay what little claims they actually do pay, I suffer through it in a blown out house.

We had to do a lot of electrical work, bathroom, kitchen rehab, total paint and a new roof.

The place I have is over 30 years old and a mansion ("mansion" in Japan means an apartment, not "mansion" like a huge house). 

And a very good bye.

I thought he was super smart and a straight shooter. 

I currently have $350 dollars that is missing from a chargeback reversal from a tenant that has a document case with Amex and a statement to prove the money was sent back to me. 

If you’re strategic about locations, management, and financing, STRs can still offer decent returns in the right market.I totally agree that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows in real estate right now, but if you’re strategic—especially with tax savings and a long-term focus—real estate can still be a viable option alongside other investments.I agree with everything you said but it’s also important to consider the Time component.

I'm looking at Coimbra, Porto, Ponta Delgada, Evora and a couple cities in the Algarve. 

As you mention big difference between fraud and a bad investment.

No problem, I had cash from a refi, a HELOC, and a personal LOC.