These properties also offer you the opportunity to perform cost segregations which help with those current taxes. 

Now my first property currently has a tenant that is not paying rent, so we started the eviction process.

Recently I've had 2 guests that were messy and accessed the two rooms that weren't currently rented.

I appreciate the tip about the current market conditions.

Definitely, either the house price is far beyond its current market value, or there are some property disputes.

In Canada we have a 25 year mortgage (for example), but we renew it every 1-5 years (they started a 10 year one as well) at the current interest rate. 

There, now it will appraise as a FORMERLY illegal bathroom, current storage closet (appraisals are about the CURRENT property, not speculation about what the property might once have been historically). 

Also - the no taxes on tips is not currently law.  

Do you currently have equity in any of those homes?

@Patrick Pan, if I was operating in a state where that was a concern I would just contact their current landlord for a reference.