I would look into assets that are non-correlated to the stock market or real estate, as well as tax advantaged assets to help shelter your income. 

I don't want to go back on my own word in any way, obviously, and had stated the lease was for a year.Now I plan to use apartments.com going forward for leases and rent collectionThe newest lease with a different tenant is plainly non-renewable and requires a new lease to continue tenancy after a year and outlines fee costs.

Being a 20 year mortgage expert and real estate investment veteran, we used our mortgage company to secure below market financing.

“Passing Good Cause is not only a step toward tackling these systemic issues—it is the vital foundation to any meaningful action.”In a free market economy, how will those providing housing react to a law that forces them to house non-paying tenants for free? 

For the HVAC, I'd just question if that's the correct and best way to go about it, but I'm not an expert, but certianly you won't get interest listing a unit for rent or sale without HVAC.

Educating yourself about common property maintenance processes doesn’t mean you have to become an expert, but even a basic understanding of repairs like plumbing or lead testing can go a long way in helping you make more informed decisions.It’s also worth discussing with your property manager how they select and negotiate with contractors.

Pairing that with relationship-building will help you uncover off-market opportunities and find local experts who can guide you.For meetups, here are a few ideas:Indianapolis Real Estate Investors Association (Indy REIA): They have a mix of virtual and in-person events and are a good starting point for networking with other investors in the Indy market.Louisville Real Estate Investors Group (REIG): A similar organization for the Louisville market, with educational and networking opportunities.Check out BiggerPockets Meetups: Many cities have local meetups organized by investors active on BiggerPockets, and they often include virtual options.Facebook Groups: Look for local investing groups like "Indianapolis Real Estate Investors" or "Louisville REI."

The most common is leaning on your agent for their expert advice.

Which is fine, especially for non-American expats who can't get loans in their home countries.  

Now it appears your cleaners might be cleaning non-STR properties also (home owners).