Ultimately the true cost of acquisition and investment will need to be disclosed and assessed.

Ultimately a 1031 would have been the smartest move to buy another property and simply do a cash out refinance in 6 months to have access to some of the funds.

Also, if I receive an application from a renter with a LARGE service dog, am I required to accept it, knowing that the grass in the small patch of lawn will not survive it (I am currently having to resod because of a departing renter's big dog).THANKS in advance.

Also, there's a better chance it will survive the first tenant.

However, it will ultimately be up to the bank (and the underwriter) to determine if they allow this. 

Our Dad got remarried after our mother passed away.Dad had a will and prenuptial agreement with the second wife.She still survives.

Start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

Competence is what ultimately matters.

There is no generic winner or loser buy box, just make sure that ultimately what you get aligns with you and your personal goals. 

But, we also bought one house sight unseen that was a ultimately a not so great flip (same team, different area) which we were able to eventually fix (a cost of the fast-moving market, and us missing some quality clues) (Hint: have reserves on hand for a handyman!).