I’ve got a 30-40 year time horizon so taking a year off to pay a property off or only buying 3-4 a year instead of 5 is worth it.Leverage is great but true wealth is built by owning properties free and clear for many many years.

However, if your goal is to gain wealth, I think you should try something different.  

Culturally we really praise talent, it almost lets us off the hook if we consider our abilities as God given or not.  

@Leo Kotschenreuther one of the best perks of REI is that you can use long term leverage to build wealth. I

There are two markets: the market for locals and the market for foreigners and wealthy Mexicans.

and if they cant tell you how they've used that strategy to become wealthy and financially free #RunAway

I 've not been this excited about life in a while, buying property as a means to build wealth is an exciting venture. 

The other key is getting in so you can stay in ... if you are very wealthy like Bob you can pay retail and still be sure you can afford to hold through a downturn, but for most others it means working to buy below market and forced appreciation to achieve an extra equity buffer and hold from a position of financial strength.

The "culture" of Keller is to work together.

It doesn't take many loans in So Cal to saturate even a wealthy person.