12 - If the negative answer to Q$11 was severe enough, could (if you didn't have the required knowledge) it have caused your "patient" (REI) to die on the vine, and have impacted your general financial situation (family) in a negative way?

There is nothing wrong with being patient and waiting, as business cycles will change.  

And you need to be patient.

I've been patient and willing to learn on my journey so I don't fall for the same trick twice.Totally agree!

This will not only justify the rent increase but also ensure the satisfaction of the tenant and maintain the value of your property.Market Rate Evaluation: Regularly evaluate the market rate for similar properties.

It is a kick when a potential buyer walks into a house that you have renovated, and their mouth drops open. you can make some great money doing flips, and get a lot of personal satisfaction out of making someone happy with what your hands have created.         

If there are any disagreements, schedule a time where all parties can resolve the disagreement to your satisfaction.3.

If you experiment enough and are patient, hiring a virtual assistant from somewhere like Upwork would be a great move.

Good cash flow opportunities are hard to come by these days in OC ... for a buy and hold investor today, you need to be either excellent at acquisitions and rehab to buy your rentals like a flipper and/or you need to be very patient to wait until the local market cycles and becomes more accommodating for buy-and-hold.

My advice would be to be patient.