Here are a few insights and tips based on your questions:1.

Others I hope might tip with cheaper ways to be compliant vs $0.60 per post card x 6 touches x 5k leads = $18,000.I didn't pick 5k leads out of thin air, its quoted from local wholesalers who do 2-5 deals a month....

Between the fall of 2008 and 2009, I began to understand we had to shift course.

I found it on an on-line auction for Michigan.

Monthly rentals in the summer are not uncommon, especially if you have a nice amenity (proximity to Donner or Tahoe, proximity to downtown, or one of the local golf courses).Check out Tahoe Forest Hospital for their need of MTRs.  

If you own them outright, of course they do, but then you are giving up massive opportunity to invest somewhere else like Phoenix/Las Vegas, etc, where you might possibly have cash flow and appreciation.

The rentals are also taxed, of course, but Airbnb and VRBO automatically collect those fees when each stay is booked.

Using creative financing if I can get anything done with the deal I'd of course pay a commission for the referral.

Just making extra monthly/periodic principal payments is good enough for me :)Of course, you need to be a "saver," not a "spender."

Appreciate the tip!