Good luck with everything - Life style is important but commitment to your goals will bring you the most satisfaction.I see a simple solution, I'd go after the smaller property with in-law suite - build some equity & continue to build a stable portfolio.

Needless to say he's done, but unfortunately so is the damage, and I'm hoping someone might have a creative (and hopefully inexpensive) solution. 

I'm leaning towards that solution with a solid (marble, etc) window ledge that is well sealed.

I'd like to mix it up with both of those, as fixing up homes is my idea of fun, but definitely not something I want to sustain forever.

Solution: Paid about $500 for a commercial "subject to appraisal (or the value once the renovations are done) which came back at $285k ARV.

The current solution to the issues is pump a few times a year and remove the washer/dryers from all units it appears.

It's not a practice that's scalable or sustainable since it can create unknown and hard to measure risk.

Additionally, I have customers WAITING for me to deliver the solution vs. building the "solution" (which will likely be incorrect) and TRYING to sell it.  

I haven't worked for about a year, and my monthly income is just from the rental: $2,000/month and credit score is 800.I've been traveling abroad from the USA and the rental income has been enough to sustain this nomadic lifestyle and cover mortgage as well, but I would like to come back and purchase a turn-key coffee/cafe shop.

Both houses are toast, and one of our other homes next door sustained a heavy amount of fire damage as well.