@Ann Nguyen You can also look to replace your lawns with mulch, rocks, and drought resistant plants to minimize water use and dealing with sprinklers. 

I've always had a love for real estate, but the flame has recently been reignited after being called back to help out in the real estate office.

A classic brain fart/path of most resistance outcome can be frustrating, but at least I learn a “I’ll never do that again in that specific situation” lesson.I’m inclined to keep all my stuff for now, as I still think there are one or two good appreciation cycles to be had in the next 10-20 years.

@Jason Lee, I’m personally invested in a triple net lease fund with very conservative leverage (40%), an investment grade rating, diiversified into hundreds of properties in industries they feel are both recession and Amazon resistant, and where the sponsor has full real estate cycle experience in this exact asset class and strategy.

Many people flame out.

One thing I'm considering doing is installing new pipes that will resist the elements a little more. 

From a construction standpoint, a fire resistive building is superior to a frame construction building and would have a lower insurance rate but would have a much higher replacement cost.  

Generally homes in C neighborhoods are resistant to market fluctuations.

I am determined to meet my goals and not quit despite the resistance I’m facing now.

IF their are ANY puddles within 10-20 feet of the house it is going to drain somehow back to the path of least resistance (aka your basement ).