Asem,Look at this way, you were smart, you had the reserves in place to pay for it, smart move. most people will put a CAPX number in their figures and not know exactly what that means. you had the money set aside just for such an emergency, i understand it ate the profit, but it didn't cost you your personal savings.

Another profession falling victim to technology? 

It can be deferred forever and then actually eliminated through some smart estate planning. 

Neither of them are great with setting up technology “hardware” but they both did it themselves and were very complimentary about how easy it was.

@Corbin Wafford I think you're smart to buy a duplex.  

Really smart!

Having copper lines in a bad neighborhood isn't smart. 

A drug dealer is always easy to spot because they almost always spend an unusual amount of time on their phones outdoors smoking, and have just one too many random guests visiting them.Even though 99% of these people aren't too bright, theyre smart enough not to come back and realize that your motel is not a good place for them to stay.

Most likely, you'll have an exit strategy and want to sell the house and cash out, and then buy more houses.Very smart to set aside money for capital improvements like the roof, etc.As for equity in current house, your call.

My novice opinion is that we are at the peak of the market right now and most "deals" I see are other smart investors who bought at the bottom and trying to unload their inventory.