Since your lease doesn't include a break clause, you'll want to communicate openly and give them ample notice, ideally a few months.

This experience reinforced the value of strategic planning and efficient project management.

Anything I need to be particularly cautious of before I communicate this to them?

I will be keeping eye on things to make sure that it gets done, and will stay in communication with his lawyer. 

I ask a few questions such as:-Communication - were they responsive to emails and calls-Property care - any major issues / did they leave the property in good condition-Reason for leaving - this would give you more insight if there were issuesAnd always respect privacy if they are not willing to share.

He came to me by way of my mason, who also uses him.C.S. is really damned good at what he does, and a big part of this is that he's a great communicator.

Here are a couple of software options that I think might be a good fit alongside those third-party services: BrytSoftware: This user-friendly platform streamlines tasks like loan payments, statements, and communication with automated workflows.

Know of an efficient way to identify hard money lenders that will solely focus on an 80K loan against a property purchased at $256K with me bringing the rest of money to the closing table?

Commission rates will become more efficient.

All of these  software programs will consolidate your operations down to one system, give you a portal for tenant communication, maintenance tracking, document storage, etc.