Hi Chris,You’re correct in the sense that with a 1% CoC, your money is better spent on another investment vehicle.

You waste money on gas, vehicle wear and tear, and most importantly time. 

Is REI a good vehicle to help fund retirement this late in life? 

I guess I need to get a older vehicle to meet the contractors at the job site to discuss the job. 

That's relevant because the city that was the "arsenal of democracy" became "motor city," it has now  become in no small part "mortgage city" (there are people who's families have literally done that transition, across a few generations, from grandpa building the bombers to dad building the cars to kid putting together the mortgages). 

ROFL The last one missed my mailbox and scraped the side of their vehicle on the 36 inch diameter elm tree and launched across the ditch only to take out a guy wire.

Definitely be specific when speaking with your contractors.One thing I remember reading in the past is go down and hang out at home depot @ 6:30-7am and take note of all the contractors (written on their vehicles), I did this like a week ago and in the 30 second walk to the door from my car, I took note of eight different companies!

Every time I see a local contractor vehicle (roofer, electrician, carpenter, etc.)

My wife warmed up to REI after I broke down the 4 ways you can make money (cashflow, appreciation, tax, and loan pay down) vs other investment vehicles (e.g. stocks where you may only get appreciation and minimal dividends).

FHA will not insure a mortgage if it is determined that the transaction was designed to use FHA mortgage insurance as a vehicle for obtaining investment properties, even if the property to be insured will be the only one owned using FHA mortgage insurance."