I also wanted a job career doing something I can be passionate about while also not having my financial security being dependent on me getting up at 5am, 5 days a week, for the next 30 years of my life.In addition my grandfather has various real estate holdings in the Chicago and surrounding suburbs (vacant lots in up and coming areas and affordable housing) but unfortunately he's old fashioned and operates under the "fix it myself and save a dime" mentality.

I enjoy being informed of pitfalls but they also create a mental block. 

I did get a little boost on that property from the Japanese buying spree in Hawaii in the 80's and the lack of inflation is slowing my snowball growth on appreciation.

Also, don't forget that they need sufficient mental capacity to transfer title when the time does come to sell.In the meantime, I'd buy the other half with seller financing or swap other property or assets for the equity.

What can I do to boost my appraisal so that I can use more equity to acquire more properties?

Depending on the outcome of the credit check you most likely wouldn't be going through all this turmoil and mental anguish

You absolutely never want to follow the "if you build it they will come," mentality but sometimes you have to roll the dice a little bit when you have some solid commitments behind you.        

Perhaps a visit to the REIA groups to see what others are doing might give you a boost. 

Getting hardest hit funds, if the borrower qualifies, could boost that but depends on qualification.  

Let me know if that is a horrible mentality or if I'm mistaken.I have to honestly say you completely lost me in your last paragraph though:"@Geoffrey Tan, a good thing to do is to have a long term plan as far as CA property because of the costs to sell but also because of the Prop 13 tax base.