I bought this house in 2009 for $9,500. It was a foreclosure. I had no choice after I got foreclosed on during the real estate implosion of 2009. it was NASTY. leaking roof, raccoon feces, lathe and plaster falling off the walls and ceilings, exterior doors nailed shut with huge spikes, broken windows. Furnace that was from the 30's or 40's. It was bad. I worked my ass off for 6 years to make it a home. By myself (and my wife)
Instead of it just sitting and falling down I saved it. Kind of proud of that. It was built in 1890. I sold it for $65,000 in 2016, so I could rent the house we are currently in. $500. a month, no taxes to pay, don't have to worry about maintenance, no headaches. Although I do treat it as if it were mine. Great landlord, actually really good friend. I made that decision one night while driving truck back from Chicago. I thought "why am I doing all this, when we have no one to leave it to"? More or less broke even, not including labor. Look at the value now, and it's not in a great town. (Democratic controlled for years. Here's the listing with pictures when we sold it. The 4 attached photos are where we are now, on 80 acres. Just thinking about challenges in life and how to face them. Life lessons.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/314-N-Mingo-St-Albion-MI-49224/74667112_zpid/