Obviously you are a minority - based on my anecdotal experience. 

To switch from the Electric trucks to petroleum based trucks.

Larger capex investments like new roof or windows can be scheduled based on your cash flow position but need to be addressed rather than just pushed off.

.  :-) And after speaking with another lender, it's confirmed a log cabin based on the heat source and their lending guideline. 

it's possible but unlikely. a great CPA who specializes in REI will be able to help you plan AHEAD for tax time and use different pieces of the tax code to your advantage, based on your unique situation, and ultimately save you way more in the long run. would you rather pay $750 to have a return done & get a $5,000 return, or pay $30 to have a return done and owe $5,000?

If I'm off base here, let me know and perhaps I can look at this another way. 

If you are going to purchase SF homes in lower barrier  C/D neighborhoods be conservative with your debt, set aside plenty of reserves and consider half if not more of your appraised equity to be the result of a generous appraiser because you will likely never see the equity converted to a realized gain. 

There is a big difference.Social Services to me means section 8 housing vouchers, food stamp existant, and other welfare benefits.Social Security (whether you agree with the program or not) is based on repayment of money you earned while working and supposedly placed into a trust for retirement.

She is not based in MA but doesn't need to be.Paul

A few quick notes based on some of the replies:1.