Removed the fraternity that was staying in the house early with mutual agreement and started turning the house from the third floor.

Google ads (not free but can be effective when done properly)4.

Both ways would accomplish both goals your family has set forth without losing the steady income ( The freed up cash flow and removing yourself from the day to day operations). 

@Mitchell Poloskey 1) PMI - contact your lender about requirements to remove via recognizing increase in value.

A large tree fell during the storm last week and took the stairs out so the tenant has no way to access the unit until we can fix the power lines and remove the tree which we're working on.

Taking 'effective' action is what you need to do next, find out what your goal really is and work backwards in discovering what you need to do to achieve it.

Rarely is that effective or provide an accurate depiction of the neighborhood characteristics.

Wondering if they are as effective as the website indicates? 

I'm in Chicagoland and we have what I call a "seasonality effect." 

Start by targeting your audience more effectively—hone in on vacationers, outdoor enthusiasts, and families that would love your location.Also, consider looking into property management services that specialize in short-term rentals, or even investing in some marketing tools to help boost visibility.