I am thinking to the future, trying to compound my money with time.I'm looking for any advice locals can add to my strategy, or any points I am missing.Some odd points:The reason I would like to keep around the universities is because whether or not in the future the market busts (if you believe the market is bubbling or plateauing) or the Navy expands (adding ships increases the jobs for a time then reduces after need is met), people will always go to college, meaning my first property I plan to keep for some time. 

This means that equity sitting in a income property is reducing your cash flow not increasing it.When you can stick cash in a mutual fund and consistently earn 7-10 return why pay down a 5% mortgage.

I wouldn't live thereI don't see this as being a way to financial freedom unless you can accomplish two things:1) Reduce your lifestyle (pay off your personal home, get out of debt, reduce expenses to the basics)2) Own your properties free and clear.By leveraging yourself into your next rental, you're reducing your cash flow.  

Centralizing the monitoring for wells can reduce the stress of keeping a reliable water supply.

If you would like to mow the lawn and shovel the snow yourself, the rent would be reduced by $100 per month.

If there's no profit to be gained by selling and it's cash flowing, why not help her manage it better (increase income, reduce costs) and keep it for the estate?

If they purchase, the option fee amount paid will be reduced from the purchase price to lower the purchase price on the sales agreement, after they exercise their option to purchase.* The property is not sold and title is not transferred until the tenant exercises the option to buy. 

I literally have a house across the street from me that was foreclosed on price has recently been reduced.

So basically if I follow your steps I can use those line items to reduce my tax liability but a lender can add those deductions back in to help me qualify for a loan?

Any suggestions on who I should contact to evaluate the cost of doing enough to reduce the utility costs to a reasonable number?