I would fear that if performance hurdles aren’t hit in a big way, sponsors lose interest, and then they take their eye off the ball.

The Austin market is still going strong and we live in a very desirable area.We *could* roll up some debt and take our mortgage to 284k.This would increase our mortgage payment by 566/month, but by reducing the monthly minimum payments with the debt disappearing we would gain an additional 1000-1100/month (after the 566 is deducted).I'm also aware that mortgage interest is something we can deduct from our annual taxes vs. other debt which we can't...This is not our forever home, but we've had so much equity in our home for so long that I can tell I'm fearful to cut into our equity, but I don't want baseless emotion to make this decision and keep us tied to something that we're not looking to stay in forever.

Fear is a much greater motivator than respect.

Typically I hear from other investors about their biggest fears in Note Investing.

When a landlord does not raise rents annually out of fear a tenant will leave that is BS.

What I am saying is, if you want to start one now because you fear banks might not do one in future, they are just as likely to close the one you started down. 

She took it well over the phone and agreed to look for a new place but I fear she will wreck the place out of spite.

You certainly can, and it will take dedicated work, and a complete lack of a fear of rejection. 

Not letting fear win the battle and taking steps as I go along.

The greatest  fear for hobby landlords is tenant turn over.