The fact that there is a 3 headed monster in that state I would say does it.

Then I own in a semi-franchise model,  basically own the trucks and buy routes and employ drivers to fulfill the logistics; you can contract with fedex, amazon, any shipping carrier, and get a ton of business quick.

Now not everyone can be a monster content marketer like your boy J-Wise and do $200+ Million here, but doing two deals is still doing two deals.

Also we’re starting the process of buying her a different vehicle and she wants a truck for several reasons one of which is because she wants me to be able to use it for the real estate.

Even when I did my construction in California, (where carrying a weapon is virtually illegal) still most Contractors and workers were armed (truck guns).

I think everyone is rooting for Detroit to succeed as a city.. but your right when I was doing bizz there Wayne county was about as dysfunctional as could be.. 200 rehabs since the first of the year is something.. thats averaging 40 a month.. that would take a monster man power operation thats for sure. 

I looked at your pic, looks like a nice truck with a big sunroof.Look at all of the pics of guys who have respond so far and then look at yours--notice anything different?

Truck drivers are in high demand right now and starting pay at some companies is over $60K.

$5,500 is probably two years of your cash flow. i will second and third the gravel recommendations. had a 10 ton gravel dump truck show up for $500 before, so unless that's against the city code, i'd go that route instead.  

Below is just one example of the many websites and forums popping up around the country, depicting landlords as greedy, evil monsters.