The original six month tenant I had extended the lease 9 times and stayed a total of 5 years, paying me about $15k over market rent annually.  

Market Fluctuations – What if appreciation stalls, or rates rise, impacting your refi strategy?

I do not subscribe to the idea that you should expect negative cashflow UNLESS you want a specific property in a specific market that is more or less a second home situation. 

or get good tenant for around 1200$ on vacant unit (i reduced rent from 1350 to 1200 as not much interest in current market) and hold few more years absorbing repair costs and contractor issues, trees issues, retention wall issues, tough neighbor issues, loud music, tobacco etc. smell issues, dogs barking issues.7.

Most can provide a rental report to see how much properties are renting for in your area and how long properties are staying on the market. 

On the surface, it might seem cheaper to hire a PM company, but when you factor in vacancies, maintenance, and under-market rents, you’ll likely come out ahead by managing it yourself.I used to work for a local investor with 500+ units, all in one town.

Explicitly tell them what you're paying for it so you can get the exact number.Also, we do a 25% property tax relief in SC under the ATI bill - so if you fill out that form, you will get a reduction for 5 years.Info below:ATI Real Property Tax ExemptionSouth Carolina law now allows a partial exemption from taxation of up to 25% of an “ATI fair market value” that is the result of anAssessable Transfer of Interest.

In high barrier markets, rents have gotten stronger but not the double digit growth we had seen, which was an anomaly.  

Marketing to a bigger market of Buyers What was the outcome?

I'd recommend speaking with local specialists in your target market to look at multiple investment options side-to-side.Lastly, some of my clients have been encouraged to stay away from HELOCs unless they expect a lump sum (inheritance, sale of other asset, bonus, etc.) to pay off the HELOC in the next year or 2.