Its very possible that the foundation shift happened due to water leak under the toilet seat - and our insurance covers (should) that scenario.

one of the other reasons there is a housing shortgage and those that live in the mid west rust belt older cities of the US can confirm this. you have demographic shifts that lead neighborhoods undesirable to those that want to owner occ a home..

Our goal was to flip it, but after hitting more than a couple roadblocks along the way and with the shifts in the market we would be selling at a pretty sizable loss right now.

Not sure how much it applies here but you could ask his/her opinion about shifting property tax payments and any other itemized deductions possible to your rental properties to be able to deduct on Schedule E rather than Schedule A since you're in a high tax state of California, though not sure what yours and your husband's other income and assets look like. 

with a single family home you can typically shift more to all of the expenses to the renter. 

Now after working over 25 years being an agent first, I have shifted to being an investor first.

Small towns can get cash flow, but far more susceptible to dramatic shifts in downturns.  

I completely understand the message you are trying to convey, and the mindset shift you are trying to get across.

It's definitely taking a shift backwards.

Still good for the market to shift.