Conversely if values are high but rates are high you can appraise for the value you need but the rates will not be so appetizing.In your case where you have FHA monthly MI of .80%- .85% even if you could refinance to the same rate you have right now and remove monthly MI it would be worth it since you'd save around 400 dollars per month most likely.

I have not read the Ultimate Beginners guide to Real Estate but will do so when I'm done typing this post.

First step is to get your daughter healthy and save all documentation.

If he is good, and has built a reputation, he will save you more than the extra that you are paying him.

If you choose to go it alone, refer back to BP podcasts where people talk about how they manage their own properties and check the show notes for links to the software, resources etc. that they use to be professional, organized and ultimately successful.  

A lot of people forget that a penny saved is the same thing as a penny earned, and leaving a tenant in place, even at a slightly lower rent, can be better than having a tenant leave, incurring the vacancy and turn cost, and then getting a slightly higher rent.  

It's unfortunate, and I wanted to warn the group and maybe save someone lots of trouble.

My goal is to be able to work with real estate full time and make a decent living and save for retirement. 

How much savings reserve do you have to live on? 

Need to save money for more rentals : ) Our challenge is going to be finding rentals.