Looking for solutions more affordable that glass block with vents or wrought iron bars. 

Set the dining room table with a feast of fried chicken, watermelon, and a big glass pitcher of brightly-colored Kool Aid?

So half way through the day the speaker (who was very thorough at what he did) aggressively starts trying to sell us on spending between 20k to 60k on software and a mentor to walk you through the real estate process.

The air-tight windows get condensation on the inside glass, to the point where it is dripping from the bottom of the window inside the house.

On a 20 year loan this should be about half way paid off.If this is true you could probably refinance and cut your interest rate in half, move into a 30 year loan and increase your cash flow greatly.

Originally posted by @Carlito King: waist of everyone's timeSort of like an hour-glass?

Otherwise, some book recommendations:- "E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber- "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter (this provides a more foundational perspective on money)- "Cashflow Quadrant" by Robert Kiyosaki (further builds on the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" foundation)- "Set for Life" by Scott Trench- "Long-Distance Real Estate Investing" by David Greene (I'm currently about half way through)- "The Book on Managing Rental Properties' by Brandon Turner and Heather Turner- "The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod

I used to go over end of the day and enjoy a glass or two while he regaled me with how it was back then as he basically created the TV real Estate guru  .

As a second issue perhaps having more time to spend with my wife on evenings and weekends would be nice.Do you ever feel you are up against a glass ceiling in commercial - meaning, do you have a shot at serious projects or is that left to the commercial firms?

This keeps you making progress towards market rent and keeps them less willing to go find a new home.But in Seattle you must give 6 months notice to raise rent, so you may want to offer a one year renewal with the bump happening halfway through the term, and give notice of intent to increase again at that 6 month mark.