I learned this the hard way not too long ago.I invest in similar areas and I do use leverage to buy properties but I have starting using the techniques that I mention above, keep a good cash reserve, and I am more aggressive on the debt paydown than on assets that have good appreciation.

Website creation, traffic and maintenance is a very large game and no one technique such as page speed will fix all. 

What are the specific techniques and mechanisms you're using to teach your children?

But, generally, this is not very accurate.Anyway, there are a few more techniques they can use, but this gives you an idea of how they should go about it.So, as to your specific question, YES, you can most definitely dispute the appraisal if you think there are legitimate reasons to.

My leverage was my intimate knowledge of housing systems and construction techniques and my willingness to apply time and energy to the problem when I didn't have money.

The distributions are nowhere near high enough to tying up principal in perpetuity. 

At the end of the year we also take a distribution from the funds left in the account.

More standard income variations are: asset depletion (using reserve distributions as the proposed income) or average personal or business bank statement deposits over a 12-24-36 month period. 

Tenants save money when using a shared meter, so there's plenty of room for error when calculating how to distribute the charges.

Investigate how to vet tenants properly, there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, and the resources and limitations of your locality should play a big part in determining the technique you use.