It sounds to me like your Austin home is a "Sell" candidate - while it could appreciate over the long-term, you might be sinking cash into it for many more years in order to realize that appreciation.

I realize it takes a village. 

A smaller paid off portfolio seemed a lot easier to manage so that is the path I was on.. but I've come to the realization if I ever want to accumulate serious wealth I will have to use leverage and scale big. 

I have come to the realization that my calculations are not as solid at I once thought.

___________________________________________________________Why does everyone want to chase strangers – and ignore their own personal network?

However I just realized there was a mistake in one of the tenants' lease! 

Managing five rentals can eat up a ton of time in any given week, often at times that are inconvenient to you and your personal interests (family, hobbies, travel, etc.).Of course you can manage on your own.

I've sold over 80 homes personally in the last 30 months and I'm usually within $5k of the appraisal report when I run my CMA for clients.

If you and another person own a piece of real estate as tenants in common then you both own real estate. 

Realize there will be a cost but also realize the value in a highly appreciated property in CA and the consequences of selling.