Obviously you can maintain a stronger presence and level of involvement investing in properties near you.

You open yourself to much more risk in not being able to finance out of it and being stuck with hard money and those fees/penalties.

Other lenders as a new relationship may not care as much because they were not the ones that originally funded your loan and would not yet deem you as a risk.

We even had to do a lease back to them while the carport situation was being finalized.There is definitely some luck involved with every deal, but I think as investors we can create our own luck as well based on knowledge and experience.  

It sounds like you've done a great job in investing in yourself and taking personal risks. 

Here’s what you need to consider:1.Related-Party Restrictions•The IRS generally doesn’t allow 1031 exchanges when both the sale and purchase involve related parties, unless both properties are held for at least two years after the exchange.

That may keep your cashflow the same or even lower it a bit, but you have 4 assets that are appreciating instead of one, 4 mortgages that are getting paid off by the tenant, depreciation and you diversify your risk in 4.Regarding the tax question, you may want to talk to your CPA about that.

Low risk property. 

Maybe selling is the best option stop the bleeding and do something that is more risk adverse. 

Building confidence, a plan, and understanding your risk tolerance are all keys to success.