One of which is a rodent issue; to remediate this we have hired a pest control company to do a full service inspection and trapping job for several weeks, but we are still having issues. 

Inflation is already under control, when adjusting for the non-smart way that housing is accounted for. 

You have to control all of the pieces on the board.  

I would also like to get one of those devices to monitor for smoke and noise (not sure what to get for this either)  What recommendations do you have for a deadbolt keypad that I can change out the code for each new guest?  

I want to de-leverage, as the government in my area has spun out of control.

Quote from @Russell Brazil: That's true, but how do you control for that?

I'm not interested in speculation or being dependent on the ups and downs of the rental market (which I can't control), but if I can force cashflow through value add strategies, then I'll consider buying the property. 

I don;t have complete control over what my PM does in Cleveland every time, but when I have a rental unit available in Cleveland like I do now and IF a person with a voucher calls me....this is what I ask.Do you have any evictions or felonies in the last 5 years?

those that live there and can really control the outcomes might make this work.. but relying on others to do this for you.. well in my mind pretty risky. 

Hard money lenders are going to give you favorable rates the more you work with them, but the rate should be factored into the deal margins as its mostly out of your control.