In the meantime some ideas might be, battery powered camera/alarm system, install a generator, ect.

Think of how many gas stations there are and we will need that many places to charge the batteries.

I am looking purely for retirement income, so I don't ever see a need to sell.

If you get one "forever home" to satisfy the emotional need now it gives you 30 years (thinking: life of a low interest rate fixed mortgage) to vet subsequent properties purely on ROI.

I can drive a car and go to Home Depot a couple of times as well as my contractor, I can't hang drywall or tile as fast as he can.Think in terms of getting crews working not one person.Btw not to pick nits, but from a pure financial perspective, there is an opportunity cost for your money.

That becomes more of a personal decision than purely financial.Also worth noting, what the city thinks your house is worth is meaningless.  

This is just out of pure curiosity.

Concept is purely political speculation - - spend your time looking for deals.

If you're looking at pure cap rate, Atlanta is going to work.  

-Joe If needed, you can always pay debts down/off to qualify either right before writing offers, or even in escrow.What you cannot do, however, is un-pay-off a car loan to restore liquidity that in retrospect is needed.So purely from that perspective, I'd suggest waiting until you know what you're actually looking to buy and if the debts are hindering you.