We have 1 car payment/debt with a pay off balance of 23k.

I returned via FedEx along with a cashiers check for the remaining balance. 

I try to maintain a balance, and very much try show I appreciate them for what they do for me financially.

Spend some time getting your personal balance sheet ready to invest.

The amount of interest is the annual rate divided by 12 (i.e, the monthly interest rate) times the outstanding balance.

If you don't plan on doing any more deals together then by all means deposit the check from closing and cut checks to yourselves for the balance when you close the accounts.

I spend time daily working on it, checking the chemicals and working to keep them balanced so that there's no living thing in it so I can use it, but because of the temps and weather, I haven't been in it much anyway.

Always paid the balances off.I do not come from money.Investing in Real estate has been a goal of mine since Jr high.

Maybe a declining principal balance lease/purchase?

If they had a fat car pmt and tons of credit cards with balances I might be inclined to say no but if just the opposite low dti I would say yes.