Both the tenants and property management company were recommendations from people I trusted, but I will raise my vetting game in the future. 

It looks like they are sending out refund contracts kind of on a first-come, first-serve basis, with some levels of priority because there are so many investors in these deals, which is why I'm posting this to get moving on this ASAP given the number of investors who are jumping in for refunds.I do not recommend you stay in this deal because they will be raising prices.

At some point I will want to raise a family.

Remainder was raised through local REIA members and debt will be refinanced out at end of this year.

I do wonder if creative financing would be your way to go with purchasing land and raising enough money for the project.

What is the best way to raise rents?  

Likewise, my grandmother raised 6 kids without ever having an open kitchen, while most people today are not going to raise more than 3 kids but somehow need the open floor plan to make this feasible, I don't buy the parenting excuse either.Aside from the issue of integrating the kitchen into the house however, the open floorplan has other problems.

I would also try to raise the rents of other units before the sale will help you sell it at the highest price.

As indicated I have not seen a successful fund raise without an appreciation play.  

In the past, I have raised $100,000+ for each one of my projects, but all on equity partnerships or by giving the investors a flat fee on the deal.