However, the potential upside remains strong.

I have seen more than a few syndicators underwrite real estate taxes to 80% of purchase price, which this equates to, presumably based on a tax consultants recommendation.Put simply: when the parties disclose the value of the real estate being transferred, they put own 80% of actual purchase price, with the remaining 20% likely going to goodwill or other intangible assets.

I have been a passive remote landlord throughout the time, thanks to my agent and nice tenants over there.We have almost enough cash to pay off the remaining balances of the mortgages but obviously we want to use it in a different way.

He is a "holdover tenant," meaning he remains in the home beyond the term of his lease, but he still has legal rights. 

My issue with Bako is that the cheap houses are in pretty rough areas, and are likely to remain cheap.

This could be done through a "subject-to" deal, where the buyer takes over payments on your existing mortgage while you provide financing for the remaining balance.

Won't apply for everyone, but for those that are military and looking to turn your primary residence into a rental when you leave, you can keep the 4% assessment under certain conditions (remain on active duty and I believe it's limited to 1 property unless you advertise it for sale within 30 days of a purchase of a new house).  

This can result in increased depreciation deductions in the early years of ownership.Partial Disposition: When a component of a property is replaced or disposed of, you can take a partial disposition deduction for the remaining undepreciated basis of that component.

This would increase the property’s value to about $608,000, and you could look at an 80% loan-to-value refinance, which should give you enough to cover most, if not all, of the remaining balance.This structure allows you to minimize upfront costs and take advantage of property appreciation over time.

One cool thing that I recently discovered is the VA will allow you to use any remaining entitlement on the loan for a second purchase.