I never want to  have to miss my daughters school plays and soccer practices because I’m too busy at work.

Hopefully the security deposit covered most of the damage (at least it’s a pretty cheap make ready. that’s really not a lot more than a simple repaint or recarpet  could run.) it’s mostly the missed rent and vacancy that’s a real killer. 

I don't want to miss what feels like a rare opportunity around here.

It'd be great to get some of your alls experience and opinion about this in case we missed anything or if it is/is not a good deal. 

An additional piece of history, this tenant gave my appraiser the run around for two weeks and nearly delayed things enough to cause me to miss a closing. 

I'd tell my landlord "I keep missing out on houses to buy".

Or do we do a cash-out refinance on the house about to be paid off and use that money, but then miss the perks of just getting a bunch of cash each month?

There were 2 paint chips and the leaves had been raked into big piles in the back yard and not picked up.Being new landlords we were not prepared for this, how do we do a final inspection so that nothing gets missed? 

They soon find they’re completely priced out, and missed out in gaining significant equity if they had just bought in instead of waiting.

Prices are lower in Houston so you missed the reference to more challenging market than yours to keep a high IRR...