It's not only the money you'll lose, it's the time you spend (I figure worth $100 hr) and the mental anguish and stress.

So if it takes 10,000 calls to get one closed deal  that's $4k per deal which would still be worth it.

Maybe it isn't worth it, but you should consider the numbers and decide...that could push you towards purchasing another rental. - You mentioned paying down/off a rental and needing to consider the tax implication.

Because little Johnny's Mommy wasn't too pleased when showed what the "nice kid with a backpack" gave him for selling him his "toy" and found out it was worth a whole lot more than a "handful of jelly beans".... 

There are almost no exceptions to this, so it's not even worth considering.

Sounds worth it for the programs to use for my own deals but not sure if it works as well as it says.

A straightforward way to estimate value is by looking at the price per square foot and using that to calculate your property's worth.In situations like this, it's worth spending a couple of hours yourself to get a solid understanding of the market.

You might also look into learning about BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat), a popular method for scaling a portfolio.Network Locally: Engaging with local investors and attending meetups in markets like Dallas or Fort Worth can provide insights and connections that are invaluable.You'll find that momentum grows quickly.

@Chris Mahoo many new investors don't take the time to properly understand RE investing.1) Many are using approaches from 2010-2018 when Class A property prices were so low from the Great RE Crash that an investor could cashflow and get pretty easy Class A tenants to manage.2) If you look at what investors were doing before 2008-2010, most were buying Class B & C rentals.To make it worth while, an investor either needs to Fix & Flip or invest & hold rentals for 10+ years.- Over a 10 year period cashflow will increase as rents increase (rents typically rise faster than property taxes, insurance, etc.)- The property should be appreciating, if purchased in a good location, increasing the owner's equity/wealth.- Rents will be paying the mortgage off, increasing the owner's equity/wealth.- If you hold a rental until death, you can pass it on with a stepped-up cost basis, limiting captial gains if then sold (limited by inheritance tax limitations).Too many newbies on this site trying to replace their day job income via "passive" real estate investing w/o digging deep enough to understand how it really works.

(The people running 500+ units or $100m syndications when the average BP listener (I assume) has 1-10 units and is worth $1-5M.).