Having mortgages does reduce the amount in your bank account at any given time.  

Why not ask your agent if he will take a reduced commission?  

That said, I see a lot of people occupy their coastal properties with a seasonal tenant throughout the winter months at a reduced rate.

I do need to look closer to the airport since that is near where my husband's job will be and would love to reduce his commute which is currently a pain in the butt here in CA.

With larger portfolios that could be reduced per property.  

If they deny the rent, they will send you a letter asking if you will accept or deny the reduced amount.

The current market value of the home is about $645,000.Key Details:Purchase Year: 2020Purchase Price: $415,000Current Market Value: $645,000Mortgage Interest Rate: 2.99%Equity: $320,000Current Monthly Cash Flow: $1,450Return on Equity (ROE): 5.44% (without variable expenses)Return on Investment (ROI): 14.5% (without variable expenses)However, I've noticed some trends that are starting to concern me:- Home prices in my area are slightly reducing, and rental prices are also on the decline.- There are more houses listed for sale and rent in the neighborhood, which is pushing rent values down.- My current lease is up in September and the tenant is leaving, and I expect my monthly cash flow to reduce to $950, lowering my ROE to 3.57% and ROI to 9.5%, again, without variable expenses.- Homes are staying on the rental market for a few weeks, sometimes months, even at lower prices.

So in my mind STR is good tool to catch long term appreciation and REDUCE EXPENSE when folk is vacationing.For me it is as the following:if you like snowboarding you would buy in Tahoe or Denver or Aspen.if you like beach you buy in Hawaii, Destin, Panama Beach FL or San Diego.if you like hiking/forest you go to these Servier county,etc.The problem is if you don't have hobby and don't like to go for vacation LOLI cut 90% of my vacation budget by having STR, this is the internal profitability metrics LOLIf my own purpose is to make money I would find investment that yield 30% IRR and >1.5EM and I know it's not that in vacation market in 2023 lol.

Honestly, I'd talk to a good CPA or estate planner about starting to sell off some of the properties while trying to reduce their capital gains taxes. 

As a hard money lender who works with many investors in the Portland area, I can share some insights on maintenance costs for multifamily properties in this market, though individual experiences may vary:Lots of investors report a slight decrease in maintenance costs during winter months, bc of:- Fewer landscaping needs - Less wear and tear on HVAC systems (as heating is generally less intensive than summer cooling)- Reduced tenant turnover in winterWinter-specific issues can arise:- Potential roof repairs due to heavy rain or occasional snow- Gutter cleaning and maintenance to prevent water damage- Heating system repairs or maintenancePortland-specific factors:- The mild climate helps reduce extreme weather-related maintenance issues. - Older housing stock in some areas may require more upkeep. - Strict local regulations can also sometimes increase compliance-related maintenance costsCost-saving strategies I've seen help:- Preventative maintenance programs can help reduce overall costs obviously - Some investors report success with in-house maintenance teams for larger portfolios- Energy-efficient upgrades can help reduce utility costs in the long runYour specific costs will depend on factors like the age and condition of your properties, your management style, and the specific neighborhoods you're invested in, but hope this helps!