I would encourage you to consider using $75k to purchase 3 properties over time by using about $25k on each one to cover the down payment and closing costs. 

My wife is even encouraging us to look at another property.

I appreciate your words of encouragement.

If you have equity, consider pulling out money to invest with a home equity line of credit.Also, because you have a schedule that can allow you to actively work as a Realtor, I would encourage you to get your real estate license, as I did, and begin networking with other local investors and helping your sphere of influence buy, sell, and invest.

I commend you for asking the question here in this forum, and I would encourage you to ask more and more. 

If anyone has any tips, insights, or just words of encouragement it will be greatly appreciated! 

Train and encourage your tenant to report maintenance, but make it clear they will be charged if they are found responsible.

If you are looking for immediate cashflow, I'd encourage you to explore short term rental or mid term rental investing.

Aside from the horrible context you put the good news in; I do commend you on a successful forray into real estate investing and encourage you to do it again.

Your county property appraiser can help you estimate what those might be, as well as when the taxes would reset.I would also encourage you to look at other recent sales in the area, and compare what others have been paying for similar properties to what you were paying for yours.