A lot of time, energy, blood, sweat and tears have been shed but we survived.  

Different strokes for different folks, but as a young-ish investor who studies older investors and their methods to see what work over the long term, the vast majority of very successful investors who have survived multiple market corrections tend to view debt as a tool, but one that should be used carefully due to its risks.

That's a hotly debated topic depending on who you are talking to - For example the National Association of Realtors might have you believe there's never been a better time in the history of the world to buy real estate than right now, while Harry Dent and Peter Schiff would insist that a total collapse of the USA is imminent and you should grab your guns your ammo and your gold and run for the hills immediately.There's a part of me that thinks that the crash from the recession was an unusual event not to be repeated again in our lifetimes, but on the other hand the real estate market is cyclical and local markets are subject to periodic corrections (and crashes) just like any other market.  

Thanks for sharing your experience @Harry Metzinger ! 

In the event this agreement is terminated by LANDLORD, the BROKER'S rights provided for in paragraph 15 THROUGH 18 shall survive such termination.

A business must earn money to survive.

@Melissa Hartvigsen, and @Theresa Harris, thank you for responding.  

BMO Harris Bank, 65 the Illinois bankruptcy court held that the Chapter 13 debtor, the nephew of the deceased title holder of the property who was the mortgagor under a mortgage with a due-on-sale clause and received title to the property pursuant to an Independent Executor’s Deed, was not in violation of the due-on-sale clause because, as the court stated: Under the Garn–St Germain Act and its implementing regulations, a mortgage lender, among other restrictions, “shall not exercise its option pursuant to a due-on-sale clause upon ...

if you have legal questions, google Harry Heist, the attorney in Fl.

@Reuben Harris, very good to see that you already have vigilance happening in your desired focus on Freedom.