Either way, with rent and price appreciation, tax benefits, holding long term is a net worth exploder.

The "variables" you speak to could mean this is worth every cent of a 5.4% cap rate to "I wouldn't touch this for a 12 cap".  

Brewerytown and East Passyunk could also be worth exploring.Big projects like Bellwether can boost neighborhoods, but they often take time to show results, so don’t count on them as a main factor.

Is getting a $500 above ground pool worth it? 

It doesn't seem to be much in the way of appreciation over time, but would these be worth checking out for the beginning investor?

In some cases interest paid on the HELOC can be tax deductible if the funds are used for home improvements.Best of luck from Fort Worth! 

It's not to say I don't get sick and tired of stuff, but if it is worth it, I will continue to bang my head against the wall.

In Dallas-Fort Worth, for example, SafeCo recently began writing new policies again.

Definitely worth looking into!

Go search the topic "Lifestyle Asset University" here on Bigger Pockets and you will see a longer thread with a lot of opinions (most are not members) but still worth a read as there are a half a dozen paid members from our group who have commented on that thread.We were formerly called Lifestyle Asset University, but I didn't realize that you couldn't use the word University in your company name here in Utah so we changed our name to Vodyssey.