If you are renting to professionals, you shouldn't have to worry about the landlord/tenant laws.

Apply the 70% rule to determine your maximum allowable offer, then negotiate and get the property under contract, ensuring your agreement includes inspection and financing contingencies.Arrange professional inspections to uncover any unforeseen issues, using these findings to negotiate concessions or confirm your repair budget.

No, meaning that if you had professional support it's likely they helped you set the table for later.This much structure with five properties can be overload and proper planning.

It was a gut punch to see the tenants whose income we were counting on mass exodus the building right after we closed Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Work Quality:I hired professionals to inspect the work, and they found multiple issues and evidence of negligence in the construction.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

For long-term strategies, a cash-out refinance is usually more advantageous, as it preserves ownership and offers fixed terms.To proceed, start with a professional appraisal to confirm the home’s value, compare refinance terms with traditional lenders, and carefully scrutinize shared-equity program terms to ensure they align with your financial goals.

Is this something I should hire a lawyer/other professional for or can I just do it myself? 

Be professional, kind and firm. 

It’s worth a look see, just do your homework up front before hiring the other professionals to make this happen.Good luck