I don't mind paying more upfront, but it's hard to gauge which upgrade choices are going to deliver extra return on the investment... 

I buy notes and can put you in touch with someone that would be interested at the right price.Otherwise, your choices are to foreclose yourself, mod the loan, or ride it out (also known as the delayed foreclosure route).

not maximizing the ROI of every dollar anymore as a personal choice.

I didn’t have a choice but to move out and make a living in my own.

FWIW, you have a choice: Fight the battles now on helping/working/independence/decision making etc. or they will mooch off of you for the rest of your life.

I signed up again".Now, your choice is this:1 - Follow the majority2 - Follow the successful...even if it's only 1 person.Maybe this is why so few are successful. 

Now that I have the opportunity to get onto it I am focusing very much on making the right choices and invest the time and effort to get the results I want.My goal is having enough passive income to live comfortably with my wife and the children we are hoping to have in the future.

Its plenty safe, but would not be my first choice to live in.Here are the numbers:Potential offer price $70k20% down = $14k + $2k cc= $16kRent: currently rented at $1000/mo but the market should easily support $1,100Vacancy: 8% = $88/ moInsurance: $500/yr = $42/moTaxes: $2850/yr = $238R&M: $88/mo????

Lastly, your flooring choices can go a long way.

The people that live here often don't do it by choice rather it's one of it not only the only option.