It's not to say I don't get sick and tired of stuff, but if it is worth it, I will continue to bang my head against the wall.

If you do a good job picking tenants, you will be fine.

There is a way to do it.

I did not want to spend 50K on doing separate meters for where I have my rentals it would cost me this much.

I used to be in finance and they'd have scripts for interactions like that as newbies but I would say just try to be yourself.

Just do 3 “ladders” of 3 month CDs so you have one coming due every month for repairs.

If they do not want to price it well then do not take the listing.

Is it in-line with other builders? 

You said good and GREAT in the first sentence, but those don't go with unpermitted kitchens so you are trying to convince yourself it's good, but it's not.

Don't change jobs or income yet.Once you do and you think you can manage the payments based on your new income, maybe once you get the rooms rented.Then if you want to switch there are plenty of opportunities.