I personally leverage, but have a large rainy day fund. 

@Micheal Singleton I have the perfect person you should connect with.

Well, three top reasons come to mind:It will allow you to deduct their earnings on your own tax return.It is required by law for any person to whom you paid at least $600 in 2023, total.

Lenders often include a portion of the cash flow in the investment property as income to you personally to offset the DTI. 

Fire marshall should have provided something in writing to you either a list of what needs to be done or reference a code.

The idea of debt-free is that if a person is going to retire and has to completely depend on the income, they don't want a severe recession surprising them and causing them to default on the debt and losing the properties.In a normal world, I would do that as well.

Insurance liability, I personally know 2 families that lost their children in home pools.

I tried to create rapport with the owner over the phone but waited to present my real agenda only in person.   

Explore my personal favorites, Set For Life by Scott Trench or The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, for invaluable financial insights.3.

If they've genuinely abandoned, you'll notice their clothing, personal hygiene, and things of value are all gone.