I have heard so many stories just like this from people who have purchased from turnkey companies.The refi is one way, but you'd have to have a big rate cut to free up $450 (unless this is a high-priced property).

Contractor: Finding contractors that don't cut corners and overcharge is EXTREMELY difficult.

Cutting corners in this area is not advisable.

Even if you just do it in the short term, then maybe you'd save 10% there and be efficient enough to cut your vacancy % down to 5?

I'll let a broker do that and earn a cut for their efforts.

We should see rate cuts in 2025, so there should be relief on the way.

Use a DSCR loan and cut those docs in half or more.

You will get an idea of the area, are the yards cut?

Thanks, but we don't care - it's stupid protectionist policies like that which resulted in the NAR lawsuit agreeing to mandatory commissions being cut last month. 

Like Bob said, you'll get pretty good at it in a few years, but there ain't no short-cuts.