You get the benefit of 2 years+ of appreciation, tax free gains, protect yourself from buying in a crappy neighborhood because it looks good on paper - you're going to live there...the best test for a good investment location is if it is a desirable place to live - and your risk of running out of cash is lower because you can take your time.

I have one tenant who on paper takes in more than enough money to cover rent, but she's always having problems because in her words, if she has the money in the bank, she spends it.

Their paper assets, on their paper accounting, can't pay the bills because they lack the paper to pay them. 

As long as you have a primary housing expense (either renting or own) you will be able to use 75% of the appraisers opinion of the future rent. and you will be able to add back a decent portion of your paper losses on your tax returns for the properties you already own using this form:  https://content.enactmi.com/documents/calculators/Form1038.C... 

Looks very good in paper. 

My understanding is that you don't need a license to buy any paper (notes). 

I was trying to go for cash flow (on paper)  but I'm losing money every month, not sure when these properties will stabilize.

You don't have to paper it that way, but that is what it is. 

They’re taking the self-checkouts away there too because they couldn’t prevent rampant theft with them, and many restaurants are going back to paper menus because they’ve gotten such negative feedback from people needing to read the menu and order on their phones (I have dietary restrictions due to a health condition and I hate ordering on my phone because it’s so much easier just to talk to somebody).

A lot of these properties I'm looking at, are mainly just outdated ( Fixtures, cabinets , older appliances ), needs carpet replaced, most have wall paper on the walls , needs an updated paint job both inside in out .So not really things that make it un-liveable , but just mainly need updated Which brings me to ......