Everyone has different parameters (income replacement now vs. at retirement vs. paying for their kids college), tax brackets, etc. that can really change what defines a good deal for you.  

If the contractors aren't doing their job, plumbers aren't real plumbers, and GC's have done little work for the money you've forked over, now is the time to rethink your strategy.Do you have a clearly defined schedule for when you expect things done with these contractors?

In my experience I would say it's not the defining factor.

Staging the living room , dining room and the master bedroom will give a house a less stark feel and define the spaces for less time effort and money.

Can anyone with experience define what constitutes grounds for eviction under the NJ "habitual late" renter legalese?  

Know this, the flood plains were first defined about 50 years ago (in the West there was at best 80 years or so of data when the analysis was done).

It is legally defined as "cash in lieu" or "other people's money".How would you expect a company to make money trying to track 166,000 different bank accounts for each jurisdiction?  

@Ali Boone Depends on how you define 'work.'  

@Jameson Sullivan I have a similar strategy as you, I'm using my wife's 40th birthday as the goal for financial independence which we define as passive income greater than our expenses.  

You think it is common sense but really it is a standard and you may need to define your standards for acceptable common area uses and art.