If there was a downturn in the economy, not only would you lose money each month but you would also be under water on your investments. 

If there is no running water in the kitchen because you've got the countertops torn apart, then you do not have a habitable home (by most county standards). 

If I were you, I would look for a property in your price range ($250k or so) that you can live in + generate rental income.  

If all is as it seems with your contractor and realtor, a negotiated price range of $75-90K would put you in a better place.

CLR - calcium lime rustWe too have that problem where I live and have never had a water softener

A lawsuit at this point is inevitable so we have rescinded our offer that they wouldn't have accepted anyways and are not both agreeing to work on a termination of lease to get them out by May 31 so they're not responsible for rent and we won't have to start the eviction and they can sue us in which case, USAA will take over for us and we won't have to spend even more money on the lawyer that we're currently working with.The new terms will be that we give them back only their security deposit less damages and we'll send it to them as soon as they pay the last water bill and they will vacate by May 30. 

The 200k-325k range depends how much I want to update. 200k is if I reconnect the duplex and make it a legal SFH.

Oil and water in my opinion.

Woods It has to have a stove, plumbing, hot water, etc. 

@Jeff Fountain from what you stated, you have enough equity to easily get into an apartment building in GA around the million dollar price range.