You are generally going to either buy it at 95% of value or what is owed, which ever is lower. 

The longer term loans would have lowered your monthly payments and decreased the costs.As for rent, each year you need to look at rents in the area to decide how much you will be increasing the rent by. 

Hard money loans have a high barrier to entry, which is  20-40 percent down.

Typically, higher income areas have lower crime, more amenities, better schools.  

Although the study may increase the gain, the gain may be taxed at a much lower rate making it a beneficial investment.If a property is purchased with the intention to flip or own for a short period of time (less than 3 years), a cost segregation study may not be significant.Overall, as long as you intend to hold the investment property for greater than a year, the benefits of a cost segregation study should be considered.

I used the lower of rent amounts for analysis. https://www.biggerpockets.com/analysis/rentals/ee5f6928-93ce... is link to the BP Calculation on it.

The allure of fat cash flow (at least on paper) and the low barrier of entry (down payment) never stop attracting new investors. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Part of me thinks this is the lower conflict route but part of me thinks the cats will do way more in damages than the $1,600 I would get in pet fees over four months.

If your current lender is open to restructuring, you could negotiate better terms (lower rate or extended term).