We did pay to haul the trash out and and all the garbage in and around the house to make it more presentable.

I spent a number of years in the construction trade (all phases), did some bar tending for a few years, drove truck long haul then back to construction with some electronic and computer work on the side.

But then again retirement is still many, many years off for me, so I'm thinking my best strategy may be to bet on Southern California appreciation for the long haul...I don't plan to quit my job any time soon, and I'd take 1% greater average year-over-year appreciation over the next 30 years over an extra couple hundred bucks monthly cash flow per door by picking up property in Cleveland or Indianapolis...decisions, decisions...Let's say you were in your 20s and could do it over again.  

The reality is you probably won't be able to turn around and sell it for what you paid the day after you buy it but that's not really a concern if you are in it for the long haul.

Now, if they take my old washer and dryer down the road and put it into another house instead of just hauling away, then they definitely deserve extra pay!

I think an investor that wants to be in this game for the long haul is going to have reserves, and those should be held as liabilities against the property, so it should deduct from the numerator, in my opinion. 

If you are looking for assets in OH, MI, and some other states in the mid west, the answer would be closer to yes.  

But ,no pun intended, they HAD to pass a Texan law to limit you to 6 sex toys.  

However, when emotion was put aside, coupled with some shopping for tile, I realized it was the best option (for me) for the long haul. 

I see what you are saying about having cash and keep it for the long haul..