Meaning while I'm meeting goals, I'm doing so in a timeline that's pushed out too far IMO. 

Pulling the money out pushed me into the next tax bracket and I lost all of my rental deductions. 

Clear all other debt and push your credit score as high as you can.

The projections your bank will make and DCR they require, tends to push your loan amount down.

However, you'll only be pushing off the taxes on the appreciation, so even if you were actually saving the money, it would take a long time and a large amount of appreciation to outweigh the costs associated with selling and buying. 

As for your other questions- identify your long term goals and adjust your investment strategy to push you towards that end. 

For example University City could be a great opportunity to AirBnB with all of the attractions and Wash U nearby but they only allow it if it’s your primary residence.

If you are offering vacation rentals, all the linens need washed after stays, cleaning needs done, trash needs taken out, etc.    

I feel like long term the Hudson County area properties will continue to appreciate as demand gets pushed here from an increasingly expensive New York market.Are there any experienced real estate investor's with their brokerage license that can sit down with me discuss my options moving forward. 

Thanks for the extra push!