You have some great sound principles it seems but not being a finance major, I don't understand your strategy :(

keep buying and looking for those great deals and use those to hedge against the rainy days considering you own these properties free and clear with no financing also look for deals were you walk into equity say if it's 20 percent under market value great tool to hedge against a rainy storm also put money into other things such as stocks or reits

I would also question whether he received a true principle reduction.

LOL, they aren't teaching me anything, but the newest marketing angles they use for their product.Long time ago, I gave estate planning seminars with a stock broker and an attorney, I had the insurance side covered for the "team".

Plus, with the stock market fluctuating a lot, people on the high end may not feel as certain about how much money/stock they have or will have to purchase an expensive home.

What if you lose your job or the stock market tanks or social security goes away. 

I keep the properties in the company name with me as the only stock holder and officer, and my personal assets in tenants by the entireties with my wife so they are completely protected. 

Other than a huge tax bill I have to deal with this next April all of our extra income is allocated towards investing (real estate and stock market).  

It's a decent sale but paint isn't something you really want to stock up on.....unless you like taking it back to the store to have them re-shake it prior to using.  

For example, investors that are used to getting 20% cash on cash ROI in certain parts of the country will think this is a horrible deal, but those investing in the stock market(~7% historical ROI) or getting lower returns in other parts of the country will think it is a good deal.