Either1) your startup takes off and you can distribute profit fast enough to pay off your debts, or2) you find another source of $100,000 a year (which barely even starts to pay down the $300k, but might provide a better chance for a better loan), or3) you BK and possibly lose the rental houses to creditors (hopefully not, but we don’t know how they are held), or 4) you sell the houses, take the tax hit, work with the IRS on a payment plan whose interest will be much lower than your CCs, and focus on the startup.  

I’m trying to weigh my options, and could use help to decide the best path forward. 

Therefore, your financial freedom hinges on new companies continuously moving into the city, creating replacement jobs.Companies have many options when selecting a location to set up operations.

Doesn’t seem fair to charge the full price to replace the door but what other options exist? 

The most knowledgable people on market rents are the prospective renters who are currently shopping around trying to find the best option for themselves to live.

Option 1: Seek out a portfolio lender and/or look at better asset types - commercial. 

If you do not qualify for a conventional loan, DSCR and HML are the two commercial options available.

When investors see that you’re looking out for them, that you treat them like partners rather than just capital sources, they start spreading the word.

@Spencer DixonRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

If your household income is more than 5 times monthly rent, a guarantor may be an option in lieu of a sufficient credit score.