Asking the right questions is vital to getting the right answer.

I'm a property manager and I absolutely refuse to work with cosigners (except for full-time college students).

You state that everything is equal but are concerned that not everything is equal...It's very possible to see a price spread like that even with comparable coverage but it's also vitally important you work with someone that has your back to make sure you understand your coverage before you'd have to use it.  

The VAs you provided have been exceptional, and I’m excited for what’s next!

I've been looking at off market properties in Austin TX and the surrounding areas and have seen that due to the high demand so to speak in this area the prices for a BRRRR property would mostly be around $300K or more, with the exception that I've seen a few properties in the low $200Ks.

This is all public data, except for the rentometer estimated rents (which you should expect to mark up for being fully-furnished). 

. - The payments are now 60-90%, principal, which is great, except for tax reporting purposes in 2023 showing a profit.- 2024 almost much every possible repair imaginable was needed among the units, so the headaches and costs were compounded - now the properties are buttoned up for the most part and we'll probably show a loss for 2024 taxes.- We don't cash flow at all because we were bullish on the BRRRRs and also did some flip rehabs using some of that equity and pocketed it years ago. 

I have a laundry room that is exactly the scenario that you describe except the water is already split across the 2 units.  

Give the cost of money these days is around 7%, it would definitely be nice to have a paid off rental.Like Tim said, the 7% is largely irrelevant because your tenants are paying it with the exception of vacancy periods. 

@Jose BotelloTax deductions for renovations in personal residences are not deductible for current use, except for home office use.