This is where I'm not sure how far to deviate from the 1% because as long as I'm net positive for the month with all my other expenses (food, gas, general living etc), it could be a better use of my funds to wait in the rental until I have a larger down payment/better ROI deal.

You will only see names of people either in the thread or who you are friends with.Speaking of meetups @Duc Ong is hosting a MultiFamily meetup soon at Whole Foods in Ward I think.

I recently just changed jobs due to the fact I was paid by the mile since I was a truck driver.

What you're describing is exactly like sitting down and eating a meal at a restaurant and then complaining to the restaurant that the food was no good.

Some painters want you to pay for their flash truck they drive.I had a painter quote me something like $2k to paint a 1200sf ceiling.

Simply some food for thought. 

Thanks so much, everyone, your advice gives us a lot of food for thought.

I've heard of, but not tried, adding some food coloring to the water in the tank to do the same thing.Sometimes on a new-build house, or one where they've done lots of plumbing work, a plumber will pressurize the lines with air, from a compressor, to check for leaks. 

Besides working on base there is very little job opportunity outside of fast food and entry level retail.

I probably stripped at least 20 homes and loaded onto the truck.