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?

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.

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? 

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

Be professional, kind and firm. 

Thinking of using a professional interior designer/minoan for furnishings.

Horrible tenants increase cautiousness and interaction with insurance Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?