Plus, the 3-5 years gives you time to gain equity and learn the market, setting you up for your next property.Good luck!

I had a decent set of renters that are leaving after their lease is up at the end of this month.

Many users in this forum set up "keyword alerts" and you should too to stay in tune with the strategies, markets, or other discussions that come up that are of interest.

Be very clear that they must transfer the deposit along with a complete set of tenant records (application, lease, payment ledger, etc.). 

Quote from @Bruce Schussler: A lot of Podcasts and Youtuber's say to cash-out refinance to keep rents balanced with payment; (PITI) then use those funds strategically to re-invest either in more real estate or just put into a high interest bearing account or money market account...Here's some of my thoughts and comparisons;Cash-out refinance with new loan so rents balance with payment:- The cash-out refinance is 100% tax free- The funds can be put into a money-market account off-setting a portion of the interest charge of loan- The loan balance gets eventually destroyed by inflation- The liquid cash eventually gets destroyed by inflation - The interest on the new loan can be deducted from the rent income- The refinance costs are 3-4% of the total- There is less equity in the property and LLC that can be attached in case of a lawsuit- The break-even on cash-out refinance with current interest costs on the new loan is around 12 years Vs.Paid-off property with positive cash flow:- The positive rent income is 100% taxable minus only depreciation and property tax- There is more equity in the property and LLC that can be attached with a lawsuit- The break even is not until after 12 years at today's interest rates- There is a rate risk in today's inflationary environment where interest rates on bonds keep rising*It appears to me that the cash-out refi is in the best interest for a property investor; (Dave Ramsey would strongly disagree!)

We recommend it to all of our Clients and will even help them set it up.Regarding HYSAs, I recommend AmEx.

His prison sentencing was set for almost 2 years ago and it seems to keep getting pushed back....?

Marketing and Advertising: A property manager has the resources and knowledge to effectively market and advertise rental properties, attracting prospective tenants and reducing vacancy periods.In summary, hiring a property manager can streamline operations, enhance profitability, and provide peace of mind for you, allowing you to enjoy your investments rather than being bogged down by day-to-day management tasks.A property manager will give you more time to expand your investment portfolio. 

Understanding their cash flow is critical.I especially like your idea of communication clauses—non-responsiveness is a huge red flag, and setting expectations upfront can save a lot of headaches later.

@Kenroy BernardTo acquire a multifamily property in Long Island, develop a VA Loan Strategy, obtain pre-qualification from a lender, factor in renovation costs, conduct market research, build a team with experienced agents, network with investors, strengthen your business plan, expand knowledge through tools, and take action by searching for properties, attending open houses, and setting a closing timeframe.