The cost to maintain them probably wouldn’t be exactly 8x as compared to the single 8-unit, but it sure as hell isn’t a 1-to-1 ratio either. 

For instance, Berea is a charming college town, but the combination of local taxes and less favorable price-to-rent ratios makes it less appealing for investment compared to other areas in the state.Agree here! 

What is the current market valuation of the property based on comparable sales (defined as similar properties, within a 1-mile radius, within the last 30 to 180 days, that are within 10% of total square footage)? 

Quote from @Holly Barrett: So I'm comparing them w/Foremost on our Short Term Rentals, the quotes are $500-$1000 less than I am currently paying for each property per year.

However, the best way to get a feel for rental rates compared to values is to review/underwrite properties in the area - only after reviewing/underwriting many will you begin to see a pattern.

I wasn’t looking to add value or find something off-market because the time and effort just didn’t seem worth it compared to focusing on my career.

Are there any unique considerations or red flags you look for compared to the traditional rental process?

And a condo can take longer to sell when you exit compared to a detached home.

We don’t know any PMCs to recommend in the area mentioned, but since selecting the wrong PMC is usually more harmful than selecting a bad tenant, you might want to read our series about “How to Screen a PMC Better than a Tenant”:https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/3094/91877-how-to-screen-a-pmc-better-than-a-tenant-part-1-services-and-processesWe recommend you get management contracts from several PMCs and compare the services they cover and, more importantly, what they each DO NOT cover.

(+1 sub)speaking of uncut gems. it's interesting that was the movie you were going to watch, given your situation. can't really compare RE to gsmbling, but the guy had heart and wouldn't give up for nothing. great job on persevering thru this storm!