The trend is also fueling mergers and acquisitions within the industry, such as Circle K’s recent bid to acquire 7-Eleven.These global real estate updates reflect a dynamic market adapting to new challenges and opportunities.

Update on ConnectLinx.com - The company refuses to have a phone conversation even with a seasoned enterprise client which I find very odd for a platform looking to replace Rentlinx... 

If the landlord is paying any utilities that are based on usage such as water, then I might discuss a rent bump to compensate for the anticipated increase in usage and address that with the lease update adding the person as an occupant. 

That said, long-term the appreciation you get in the Puget Sound region is superior to many other markets, so assuming you find an excellent property management company that is able to screen tenants and only put in very well qualified, vetted occupants and you experience limited issues over the holding period, you'd likely come out ahead retaining the Mill Creek property if your financially able to do so and still buy wherever you are headed out of state.

In this case, if the other tenants are open to being bought out at a reasonable price - why not just renovate and deregulate the units after updating the entire building? 

I tend to take my property off market "hold" during slow times for some painting, other small updates and would never consider it as occupied.  

Prepayment Penalty Period.

My plan was to put down 35% while she would cover the remaining 65%.However, the seller has requested to be in escrow for 45-60 days so that he can complete a 1031 exchange and use the proceeds to buy another house within that period.

Some rents have gone up 40% or more over that period. 

Even though HELOC are higher than cash out refinances, but it gives investors the flexibility to draw their funds and not having to pay the full balances within x years, depending on the loan program and draw periods.