It works well because it helps me to home-in on what I am really looking for so I can act quickly when it finally comes up.Also, I just use traditional 30-year fixed financing. 

Wow that is real fraud with a lot of $$ on the table. 

He finally came back to do some minor sanding.

Still, my final sentiment is to invest all your profits in properties that you can own in the long term, thereby reducing your overhead of rent payments, which can be challenging to sustain over time, and engaging in arbitrage. 

Final thoughts - if you're currently renting, I would suggest trying to find a house hack.

I guess I'm at a point where it makes sense to me to start to take risk off of the table ( I'm aware stock investing is risky, I'm mostly talking about paying down the 7.5% mortgage) and would love to hear from people with the same mindset.

Finally, for the empathy portion... send him this link https://www.findhelp.org/ (enter your zip code and then enter "Rent"). 

Assuming you have reserves for the property, if you want to convey your view as pro-property or pro other assets-- I would take the net cash flow from rentals and invest that eventually into another property/equities/assets,etc.Last, but not least, you're likely not the sharp at the table but you have the best hand. 

Not a chance.We went back and forth and finally settled for $2,800.

It's both frustrating and deeply satisfying.The market has finally taken a turn.