Lots of folks invest primarily for appreciation, but that's too much like gambling to me - just invest in stocks.  

I feel like I might be at a point where it’s best to just dump them and start new.  ...and there's your answer.Do you know the similarity between Poker and REI (not gambling)? 

I don't think you'd lose much money if you gamble with one.

Silll, buying a home that you do not enjoy and that does not make sense as an investment will likely be a painful waste of money unless you hope to hit the appreciation jackpot, in which case you're gambling and not investing.

A good number of them are also offshore.

I've still been able to stay in contact with tenant and he informed me that he had moved from Michigan to Alaska to do offshore fishing for a season before returning.

Are you willing to gamble 72 large without an inspection, title insurance and spouse's signoff all under a countdown?  

;)  I do have part of my current 401K invested in an ETF that is tied to the NASDAQ so that is my form of "gambling".   

Of course in any market appreciation is a gamble.- Be aware of management costs.

Not sure where your located but its a gamble to rent and wait.. its only 6k negative a year that's not bad.But if having that debt precludes you from other investments then sometimes its best to cut and run..