As Ben mentioned, if you can reduce your living expenses while paying down mortgage and getting appreciation, then you are probably greatly impacting your net-worth.  

Better think again if that $100 is worth it. 

Again, the issues here would be if those properties were structured incorrectly or filed incorrectly....but I think it would certainly be worth having a conversation with a different lender about it.

Is this rate typical?

It might take a while, but it's worth it in the end.

You can also not improve your stocks and make them worth more.

Once I finish renovations it will be worth 175k bare minimumMy question: what is the best way to start from here?

It was definitely worth it.

As they say, your network will be your net-worth.7.

@Corazon B.Considering that the average realtor typically completes only 3-4 deals per year, it's unlikely that many are poised to seize those opportunities.