This issue this time, however, is interest rates had increased numerous percentage points making the possibility of living for free much less likely.

This issue this time, however, is interest rates had increased numerous percentage points making the possibility of living for free much less likely.

You can also win at anything in life and if you keep gambling away with your proceeds, sooner or later you can have a bad loss. 

@William Brock I can't say specifically how well these do, but we have lent on numerous VRBO type properties on Canyon Lake recently, and those borrowers seem to be doing well, so other investors are doing just what you're talking about, for what it's worth

This is essentially giving you some of the cash from your improvement (presuming they are significant) , as well as a steady stream of income into the future - which helps you long term in numerous ways.  

Central air conditioning offers numerous benefits, including increased energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, and better overall comfort for tenants.

The consequences of this neglect are stark and now coming to light: numerous properties have suffered from financial mismanagement, overlooked issues highlighted in due diligence files are impacting returns, and ballooning accounts receivable balances present an increasingly alarming forecast.

Without investing time into research and understanding a neighborhood, REI can be a bit of a gamble.

with an 1880s wood building (age of many 2 flat buildings) it’s not if you have rotted wood but where. for me it was a constant battle caulking/replacing windows spraying insulation to keep cold air out and conducting yearly termite inspections. you might still have some of these issues with brick buildings but you have more time (fix it this year as a opposed to right now) @Mark Ainley curious if you have any other anecdotal reasons why brick is better than wood- i know i’ve heard this come up on the podcast numerous times

It you found THE location and McD can't go anywhere else in a cheaper market (not typical) then you could try to ground lease but that's more of a risky gamble and I'd have many exit strategies.