When you make the extra principle pay down payment, simply calculate the new payment based on the interest rate and remaining term....you can do it on any loan calculator.

Invest in the stock market and the likes and you risk losing 100% of your money.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIRtr2f83kUiBL6JA1tc2awClarity tips and advice for CRE professionals.

I am also passionate about doing this because it can improve local housing stock (better maintained), decrease individual living expenses, decrease loneliness, etc.

Property Info:3 BR / 1.5 Bath / 1200sq ft Bought in 2017 for $163500 Down payment of 5% + $3k in closing costs30 yr FHA loan @ 4.375% Remaining Principle Balance: $145kMonthly rent: $1500 Vacancy: it’s never even had to go to market to fill, but I’ll say 1%/mo just to be safe Cap Ex: I bought it freshly renovated, but I’ll use 5%/ mo to be safe Repairs: 5%/mo to be safe, but in 3 years of owning it I’ve probably spent $100 total on repairs.

Hi Katrina,First piece of advice stay away from stocks the market is to volatile. 

The stock market's down 15% this year but no one is calling it a stock market collapse.

We call this metric After Tax cash flow plus pay down on principle. fancy words for return and building equity. 

I know the deficit is insanely astronomical, stock market is a gamble and the housing market is slowing, but what is the best way to get a foggy but somewhat clear picture of what is going on?

I have around 10k in stock already invested as well !