Mentors for me have come in the form of friendships over time, but honestly, most of them were made at an IN-PERSON MEETUP....there is something about physical energy that makes a huge difference.Happy to connect to share some of my experiences!

Think about when you have taken tests and you are just not sure as several answers seem correct... that's because you read all the answers, wrong ones too.I've done this on three Big test (one being RE Licence) I finish the fastest, the scorer tells me to make sure and take more time, I say I don't need to, then this person tells me I aced the test.You'll thank me.

You're opening up yourself to more risk by keeping security deposits.

Personally, I would pass.  

My deductible is high, around $4,200.I'm confused about whether I should try to keep the costs under budget and avoid using my insurance.

Keep hacking, my friend :)

And keeps driving marketing cost's up. 

As Dave mentioned, if you keep cash you pay taxes on it. 

So what I think you are is just letting the property appreciate barely or might not keep up with inflation.

Keep in mind a deal for one person might not be a deal for another based on the strategy they are using to build their portfolio.