They are walking all over you and you need to find a way to put your foot down.Mold is one of the fastest-growing scams wielded by tenants.

Everyone needs to work together to grow the industry so it becomes more respectable and self-regulated.  

Her husband is around the same age with cancer.

Indy has a growing population, a strong economy, and growth potential. 

Would like to grow to $10k passive income a month but do not want to over extend.

Someone could pull a gun on you in this day and age.

Any amounts would be taxable distributions and likely subject to penalty.You can use your IRA for investing but the funds have to remain retirement funds and the normal strategies of growing the investments are limited a bit as explained above.You haven't asked this yet but I feel you may - you can't borrow from your IRA and generally, you can't invest with your IRA for the purchase of an investment property.

With growing population, taking a single family lot and putting it to its highest and best use, based on zoning, is giving more individuals the opportunity to move into the area.That being said, there are still plenty of ares that the middle class can purchase.  

My long term real estate goals are basically two fold; to grow into full-time construction and use those resources to obtain long term cash flow for retirement. 

You want a growing neighborhood.