ANSWER YOUR PHONE.. don't leave a message on your phone that says for faster response TEXT me...

We've also butted heads quite a bit in what feels to me like a power struggle because he's rather arrogant (he believes he's among the best contractors in Atlanta and in the entire state of Georgia, despite no evidence that that's the case), very headstrong about wanting an equal share of the business' profits and an equal level of authority, despite the fact that he's clearly not pulling his weight and is slowing things down dramatically.

nothing builds  credit faster that paid off early. 

For most of us, wealth is not built overnight, and it seems like you are on the right path, just wishing you were there faster.  

It'll be years possibly decades before the expansion reaches out that far. el paso seem to currently be building up faster then out. 

However, the savings of living there and the learning of real costs and how to own a property are worth their weight in gold.

@Danny WoodsonYou want to have title before you improve anything so "subject to" or wraparound mortgage will get you titleThe faster you improve it and resell it the less chance the loan is going to get called dueThe Takeaway on this is you always get some kind of title in your name or your LLCs name before you spend any money on improving a property

Or is it better to pay it down faster, but have less cash flow?

Given how muddled things can be with banks regarding a short sale, the more pertinent question may be, can you / why can't you close faster.

You will go much farther, much faster, together.I hope that helps, Craig