I know people want to retire through investing but as a real estate agent I don't see myself ever quitting real estate instead just adjusting my focus. 

Could I potentially adjust the lease so that they pay $100 (or so) less per month and they're responsible for any maintenance issues?

From the content, page speed, great pictures, etc.

I have a friend who does this and he says it definitely helps speed up his jobs.

There are ways to adjust depreciation to your favor.  

So, in your example, its:-PMT(6%/12;15*12;21000)= $177.21Now, you don't know the interest rate after it adjusts so you can't do an accurate calculation.

. $10k loan on a vehicle is too much if money is tight and drain the pool if necessary.Also, I wouldn't assume that when your loan adjusts that the payment will automatically go up.

This one allows me to adjust the 50% ratio (because I do management myself and am willing to do it for free) and allows me to adjust the desired cash flow (also not an immediate factor for me.)

It was also the only property available to me, due to the speed with which properties were beign bought up.

Thankfully I'll miss all this opinionated fact throwing around by opting out on my newly adjustable dashboard thanks to Josh.