From what you have posted this isnt a demanding tenant issue... this is a "you didnt inspect the property very well and fix all the needed items BEFORE the tenant moved in" issueIf your PM is responsible for the post move out and pre-move in inspections, then they did a crap job.

In this competitive real estate market, having liquidity can be a huge advantage and a game-changer for your portfolio as you are able to act more swiftly when an investment opportunity arises.Have you utilized a cost segregation study as a planning tool?

Is getting a job a good strategy, or are there other approaches you recommend?

I'm considering two investment options and am torn between them:Building an ADU in Berkeley: I have the opportunity to build a 316 sqft ADU in Berkeley, CA, which I could rent out for around $2,000 a month.

I recommend checking out Columbus if you’re after appreciation, with its rapid growth in jobs and population, and look into Cleveland and Dayton if cash flow is your focus. 

I was set to start a job here in TX in acquisitions at a real estate investing company. 

Explore FHA or conventional loans based on your eligibility and current market rates.For a medium/longer term strategy, keep an eye on interest rates for potential refinancing opportunities for Property 2 when rates are more favorable. 

In 3 years i can get a loan because then i have a job and show the bank that i receive x amount a month but now i am a little bit stuck. 

If you're open to exploring other markets, Ohio has some fantastic opportunities.

Intel is a great example, who is building the largest chip manufacturing plant in the US right here, and it will be a $20 billion dollar investment that brings a few new thousand jobs.https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/01/21/intel-ohio-building-computer-chip-factories-licking-county-jersey-township/9173472002/ Another example of economic growth is the upcoming Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital which is a 1.9million square foot hospital that will bring over 800 new beds and a thousand new jobs. https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/new-osu-hospital-expected-to-transform-health-careHere are a few more recent investments https://www.10tv.com/article/money/business/hydrogen-power-company-hyperion-bringing-700-jobs-to-columbus/530-25907aab-5517-4661-a9f3-d2ed2d5be6b0 https://news.wosu.org/news/2022-02-08/rumpke-to-build-50-million-recycling-facility-in-columbus Check out The Complete Guide to the Columbus, Ohio Real Estate Market which goes through the Columbus, Ohio market in depth and will give you a better scope of where the highest levels of growth are taking place and where to look to invest.