Leaving fresh transfers the options of: Purchasing (Riskiest), Rentals (Convenience), and stay in the barracks (Generally sucks). 

Some of our favorite areas to invest in are: - Hueytown and Pleasant Grove: Though the latter is a little more rural (not necessarily a downside in AL) both are conveniently situated between Bham proper and Vance, so people that work at the huge Mercedes plant but want to live a little closer to a real city often choose these areas. - Centerpoint and Roebuck: Though the comparable sales here are good, which pushes prop values up.

(when it's convenient for them I should add).

Reason for paying off with personal savings would be for convenience purposes.

You could come at this kind of sideways.Find places that have the services and busineses that "income challenged" (RENTERS) like to use.Best would be if within walking distance, things like rent to own furniture, liquor stores, convenience stores, fast food - McD's Jack in the Box, 24 hour car parts, health clinics, (Bus Stops), buy here pay here car sales, a grocery store, Target, WalMart, auto repair shops, etc..Things they need and can afford.  

Not trying to attack anyone here.Real estate done right and properly (doesn't have to be perfectly) with common sense is equivalent to shooting fish in a barrel, and if you happen to conveniently be located in a market that is very good, it's equivalent to having a shotgun in your hand.

It’s a higher end, more convenient version of the Nations.

Convenience.

It's been fun and fascinating and convenient.  

The 10% number I use is just a rough and convenient number.If you factored the old age of the A/C unit into the purchase price and cost of the property when you bought it (like you should have), then you should be ok.This isn't as big of a disaster as it seems - you just need to get it replaced and done for a good price.