These strategies reduce living expenses, offer easier financing options, and are ideal for college towns, urban centers, or large employers.

Reduce Vacancy and Bad Debt.

This tells me two things: Obtaining a variance will be more difficult because there are already policy considerations in place intended to reduce density & (2) There is clearly an over supply of rental units in this area otherwise the overlay would not exist. 

This significantly lowers the cost per door and improves your return on investment.Scalability: A three-story walk-up design allows you to maximize your build cost and land use, just like most professional apartment developers do.Control with New Construction: Starting with a new build ensures fewer risks, as you’ll have control over the property’s condition and avoid surprises from existing structures.Pro Tip: If you do go with an existing property, make sure to thoroughly vet the deal to avoid hidden costs and issues.For first-time investors, multifamily new construction is often the best way to scale quickly, reduce costs per unit, and build a sustainable rental portfolio.

I started to change my mindset, and figure out ways to work efficiently and reduce work stress. 

You can even use some of the equity from this property to reduce the down payment burden on your next home without "throwing away" the value you've built.

To improve cash flow and manage your current situation, here are some potential strategies:Refinance for Cash Flow: Refinance your properties into long-term fixed-rate loans to reduce monthly payments and increase cash flow.

There are many other angles also you can take to both increase profit, reduce risk, etc.

A conventional loan under an LLC provides liability protection and easier rental management but requires a higher down payment (20-25%) and stricter lending terms, which can reduce cash-on-cash returns.

I can carry them forward, but it doesn't reduce my actual gross income.