Look how many died in the Great Recession which was nothing as severe.On the other hand, the debt-free ones will be in a much stronger and better position to survive (because they have no debt payments to make).  

If they have a stronger marketing plan and better local expertise, it could be a smart switch.Hope this helps!

While the $400k isn't nothing, I view the roughly $3k per month in cash flow as stronger ($4k - $1k expenses). 

NC usually provides better cash flow and Phoenix is characterized for stronger appreciation than NC.

It's stronger in court if they do it, nothing personal.

That being focusing on stronger neighborhoods and higher quality assets.

In high barrier markets, rents have gotten stronger but not the double digit growth we had seen, which was an anomaly.  

If it goes south, you'll have to evict, having the real estate lawyer who drafted your lease agreement has a stronger argument in court if it makes it that far.

.✅ Stronger Tenant Relationships – Being involved directly allows you to build rapport with your tenants, which can lead to better communication and longer leases.Cons of Self-Managing❌ Time-Consuming – Dealing with maintenance requests, late-night emergencies, and tenant disputes can quickly become a second job.❌ Legal Risks – Chicago has strict landlord-tenant laws.

If you’re confident the remaining funds can be reinvested into a stronger opportunity, like your new duplex project, it might be worth it.