I also work hard at staying non-emotional and focus on making the best financial decisions I can.  

Short of that it is a very rewarding career both emotionally (you help a lot of families achieve wealth building) and financially.

If you do decide to go down that route, know the ins and outs regarding service animals and emotional support animals.But, your biggest bang for you buck will be professional photos :) Keep on crushing it.

I'd agree to profits, but not with down payment.Please correct me if I'm wrong or if I just have my head in an emotional state, but I don't see how any of these options would be fair for me.

Banks are logical and not emotional (unlike sellers, who often think the property is worth more than it is, simply because of sweat equity, the memories they have there, and the list goes on, etc, etc).To conclude, always work with a real estate attorney who specializes in Short Sales.

It's a business focused relationship rather than an emotional one that comes with working on a personal home.

Well it depends, and there is an emotional aspect (that cozy feeling of homeownership).

A vacation home is emotional, an investment is not, and I understand the lines get blurred. 

I'm not saying it was the worst decision I've ever made, but it was emotionally-driven and short-sighted.

Under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord has the right to ask for proper documentation for an emotional support animal to prove the owner is in need of an emotional support animal.