While I agree with all your points (especially the unconstitutional eviction moratorium), selling means you will a) get hit with huge capital gains taxes (my friend just sold his 5-unit and got hit with $150,000 tax bill), b) there is no place to invest the proceeds (stock market is too risky, banks are risky and pay really low interest), and c) you are too young and if you change your mind and want to purchase more investment properties, interest rates and prices are too high. 

Hiren, I've personally been focused on the northern MSA markets of Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander.

Now I'm hit with a very expensive legal bill on top of it all.

That is a great place to start, as well as hitting some local real estate investor meetups so you can meet some other house hackers in person who have done what you want to do.

I think the threat of lawsuits, and perhaps the realization that they're out of their league, is starting to hit home.

I hit up a local wine distributor and pickup wine boxes (wooden ones) they give away to anyone who wants them.

Here’s what I’ve seen work well:Furniture Purchase:If the furniture fits the vibe you’re going for and is in good shape, buying it can definitely help you hit the ground running.

@John Clark hit it on the head.

Stories abound of people under contract (with numerous companies) to build homes and when they are about to close, the builder hits them with a huge price increase and it's take it or they sell to someone else for a lot more money. 

The property management has been hit or miss.