Why would I spend $25K 3 years earlier than might be required?

You will have a bit higher costs with the 2 properties vs. 1, but this seems like a no brainer to me.Assuming you do get the appreciation in one and none in the other two, you're looking at about $1350 in appreciation each year that can only be utilized if you refinance (spend money for a new loan) or sell.

I feel like I'm jumping through hoops of fire to find out if this list of properties that I received from the city is really worth spending my marketing dollars towards.

As an example, why spend extra money on custom lighting when a lighter color of paint would have the same effect?

You can probably spend 30 minutes talking to your local city licensing center on what licensing you need.

My gut feeling is that you should walk away and not look back and spend more time establishing investment benchmarks that every deal has to meet or exceed in order to buy it.

I'd spend a few minutes consulting with an attorney since the horse has already left the gate.

Damon the owner of FUBU apparel is worth over a billion dollars.

I no longer work at my career as an orthotist and spend my time investing in the stock market and helping take care of our DD foster daughter.

My ultimate goal is to continue to build my REI business and holdings so I no longer have to trade as much time for dollars as I do now and be able to enjoy spending time with my family and doing the things I enjoy most such as travel.