If the tenants are fantastic and make life easy we forgo the marginal increases and keep the rent the same, if a tenant is a pain in the butt but still pays every month we do marginal increases each year. 

Wow thanks for your real-life example!

Chances are it's just gathering dust on their shelves and they'll be happy to do so, and you will have saved a ton of money.As with most lessons in life, I learned this one the hard way, so I would urge you to consider leaving the credit cards at home and not get caught up in the sales pitches and wait at least 24 hours before buying, if you still feel you have to do so.

Disadvantaged to be aware of include fire and life safety, increase in structural support, difficulty in construction logistically.Your best bet is meet with a local GC.

By the way you explain it I know it wasn't easy,,but nothing in life worth having is.  

If your life savings is 35k, then you cannot afford to do this with cash.

I see unexplainable debts (possible amounts owed to prior landlords) and late utilities as bad, but the rest is just the poor personal fiannce habits or life circumstances that make applicants renters rather than owners.- Having roots in the community, normally having lived in that neighborhood for several years, or in this case being close to her parents adds screening points.

You should start by reading "Set For Life" by Scott Trench.

As I said, the stakes feel even higher now because I’m closer to where I want to be in life, but I feel like stashing away capital right now would be a move, fueled by fear, what do you guys think?

After months of here pressuring me to go DoD as GS once I retire (Which is the last thing I want, my life and time being managed without control) But, she’s opened up and talked about doing "flips" as a direction and is excited in that aspect.