These properties are built with cash flow in mind and are located in areas that are both up-and-coming and stable.

It was really hard to schedule cleaners and contractors for repairs on such short notice, and, though we were able to get some of them, my husband ended up doing a great deal of work on the unit (and had to cancel a number of his plans in order to do so).

I’m less concerned about the small items, and I focus on where big costs surprises can come up (new sewer lines, breaker upgrades, galvanized piping, etc) so I can re-trade my offer appropriately.

That's the one that you need to live in and slowly fix up. 

He uses as a rental but his ex-wife (now girlfriend) is the tenant so he has fixed it up for her and it should be move-in ready.

I know condo prices here don't usually go up a lot, but I'm hoping to find a good spot.

So, they think it's done and high-performing and you think it needs a complete makeover so you would be paying up to renovate.

The extra 10% would be split up as 6% max as seller concessions towards closing costs, then the remaining 4% would come off the principal loan amount. 

It also bought us the freedom to travel without having much in the way of living expenses and opened up the possibility for us to cashflow while not in town.

Utilize the borrowed money to invest in additional properties.Die: Upon death, your heirs will receive these properties with a stepped up basis which can potentially eliminate capital gains tax on the appreciation that occurred on the properties during your lifetime.Have you utilized any of these strategies in your real estate portfolio?