However, as we live in the real world, investments don't always wrap up with a fairytale ending.Any investor worth their weight (even someone as inexperienced as me) knows that while projects are budgeted to include unforeseen expenses, hidden/unpredictable cost can throw your numbers into a never ending pit of despair.  

You can pay it down faster if you want, but by stretching it out, you payments are lower. 

I really hope I can work with him, but knowing this is a huge weight off of the shoulders.

I know for a fact that they weighted bad comps the most heavily and that similar houses in the area are worth between $210k-$230k. 4 of 5 comps used had a corrected value greater than the purchase price and the one below was well over a mile away in a less desirable neighborhood.

Investors looking to buy distressed property look for major issues (roofing, foundation, windows, HVAC, sub-flooring) and weight the cost of repair to the end goal (ARV) of the deal.

My partner is a GC and she's worth her weight in gold just because of the relationships she has with other inspectors in the city.  

The people that want hope to be on a faster career track will still want to come to an office and be able to network in person with "the right people".....and those who work remotely may not necessarily want to be a VP, but will be happy to be a department head or worker bee...........which will in turn give them more time to spend more time with family and/or creating their own business or doing a side hustle.  

Also both of the rentals are under a year old, so I haven't shown income on taxes yet.So my question is this: Is there a way to keep growing this faster than just saving to buy a property cash?

You want to bring something valuable to the table that will make them see you as an asset rather than dead weight.

Costs more than conventional, but faster close, more flexibility and usually higher leverage.