Without really knowing the numbers, would refinancing at a reduced leverage be possible? 

You want to rent out your house but wonder if you should use a property manager or self manage.I always advise my clients to use a property manager to make owning investment real estate as "passive" as possible and if the property manager is good they will help you maximize rents with their management and reduce turnover and the cost of tenant turnover.

They have some low down payment 1-4 unit investor programs that can reduce the cash needed (equity line amount) to close.

My partner and I are both on the higher end of tax bracket, anything we could do to help reduce the tax bill from these transaction? 

They are already going to have to sell at a discount for this to be a viable wholesale deal and then on top of that reduced price they will have to compensate the agent.

Reduce the unretrievable golf ball trash.

A sharp downturn in economic metrics (leading to higher unemployment) is seen by most bond market experts as the likely catalyst for the next rate of sharply reduced rates.

We are in the Middle of Iowa and had them reduce down to $1,000 at most. 

If separate entrances are not already in place, consider installing them, as well as soundproofing, to reduce noise between units and increase tenant comfort.

One thing you can do is go to the listing agent and have them broker the deal as a single-party listing, which often is done for a reduced commission, which BTW is still on the seller and not on you.