So how are banks, lenders, and investors navigating the turbulent waters to mitigate risks and seize opportunities.Banks' Resilience and Caution: Despite reports of office towers selling at steep discounts, major banks have managed to dodge significant losses in the face of mounting defaults.

Plus, it's free.

Usually we have a few thousand dollars each year to invest after we max out these accounts (and it usually just goes into a taxable brokerage account where we use it to buy Berkshire Hathaway or Markel or some other stock that does not pay a dividend).That extra money was actually how we ended up buying this duplex - thought it might be a good way to diversify our investments.I was wondering if I could use net income from our duplex (assuming we have net income, and by net income I mean what we report to the IRS) to fund a solo 401k or some other kind of tax-advantaged plan?

@Scott EwellLeveraged vs debt-free is a personal decision to some extent.Leverage will give you a higher ceiling on your investment, whereas debt free provides the lower floor.While I can't say which is best for you in particular; I can say that, in my experience, every majorly successful investor I've come across uses debt in their strategy to some degree.

LOTS of people in beach markets like mine report the Schlage Encode has issues with the humidity/moisture. 

Even if your 'expert' worked for free it would be tight.

I ask him if I should report it to the sheriff. 

I think many investors are going around that rule in Baltimore City, so I assume they are doing it in other counties.Not trying to pick on you as you are 110% correct and understand you are just reporting the facts on the ground, just I think the logic about this, about “off market” deals is kind of off, like there are plenty of ways to make money skirting the rules, taking advantage of old people etc, and there are more profitable ways than real estate to do that, at that point your not really a real estate investor, your just someone making money not playing by the rules of your competition and taking advantage of people, which to me shouldn’t be considered “a real estate strategy”

I own my own home free and clear in Converse, Texas.

With each deal you do, you'll get more experience and knowledge which will help you be successful over time.If you have any other questions or need any recommended resources, feel free to DM.