Great tenant but property tax increases have reduced my cash flow.

It will reduce your travel and time costs when building a team and looking at properties. 

Before you do so, make sure that it will, in fact, reduce your current year's taxes.

The didn't live within their means, accrued a lot of debt, and it eventually resulted in them not paying rent and being evicted.Consolidating debt reduces their payments so they have more money available, but it doesn't automatically teach them to live within their means.

If they refuse to pay you that amount, or reduce the purchase price by that amount, then you can decide whether you want to move forward with the purchase or not.I suspect it's not a large amount, so there's no need to make this a big issue. 

It makes your house more attractive and reduces vacancy.

At closing, the accumulated credit is applied to reduce the purchase price, eliminating the liability.

A loan commitment letter carries more weight as it confirms lender approval, signaling a stronger ability to close.Addressing Closing Concerns: A commitment letter meaningfully reduces concerns, especially when paired with proof of equity and a track record of performance, even if on smaller deals.What Brokers Look For: Key factors are a reputable lender, clear terms in the commitment, and evidence of funds for equity and reserves.

This also removes the FHA’s mortgage insurance premium (MIP) requirement, reducing monthly expenses.Owner-Occupied Financing: If your next property will also be owner-occupied (e.g., a duplex or multifamily), you may qualify for a conventional loan with as little as 3%-5% down.HELOC or Cash-Out Refinance: Use the equity you’ve built in your current property to secure a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance.

The penalty can be reduced, but there's a fee (or you take a higher interest rate).