It also resulted in more investment opportunities.I'm curious to see what will happen because it seems there are a lot of investors out there buying properties that barely cash flow in the hopes they will be able to increase rents in a couple years.

The house appraised at roughly what I paid for it back in 2011, even though I've improved it greatly (got rid of a hot-pink kitchen, lime-green carpet is now beautiful hardwood floors, and it has a brand new roof).

If you were to sell it, your equity would barely cover 10% sales costs (these vary by region but that's my rule of thumb) and you'd net $17k?

My tenant sent me another text message saying that she really wanted to remove the shower doors because they could barely move.

Essentially the market upon selling it will still bare the higher price, but the appraisal won't.  

Hi all,I will probably struggle to explain my personal situation so bare with me, as it's not a conventional one.

Barely any is in private hands.

I just had the situation with a bad tenant, who threw a whole gallon of pink enamel paint against the house.

Best bet is to buy a well made, small shed for bare minimum size.

MIL is 64 years old, she barely speaks English, she does not drive and she has never lived alone.