I would then keep the extra hours going towards increasing my pension, extra overtime hours that would have been spent on my rental, my year-end bonus would be bigger, and I can come it with a significantly higher cost basis lowering my tax liability.

I agree with Rhett that you really need to look at cashflow as your primary objective and consider any appreciation as a bonus.

We used tax returns, work bonus payments, any extra money for down payments and for renovation. 

(more on this below).And Some lending institutions are even trying to claw back hiring bonuses previously given to employees!

I will buy materials on the credit card for the sign up bonuses.

You should get a sign up bonus.  

I almost feel like all the extra land was a bonus and now I just have to figure out what's the best option for it.

Ron Entwistle-BPGI just used Ron last week, he is very thorough and as a bonus a structural engineer.

These tenants rented a two bedroom and one bathroom and as a bonus I gave them also this small garage storage (too small to fit a car). 

Hi all - wife works at Amazon and a substantial part of her income is guaranteed monthly bonuses and eventually RSUs.