If your keeping this property don't use carpet even if it doesn't effect the appraisal.

Regarding your third question, our market is moving so quickly, the part time agents (without team support) struggle big time to get in to houses and to service their clients effectively.

What can more dramatically effect your investment is which street and neighborhood within those metros you are on.  

Remember you have to take different actions to have different results, so make sure you understand the market needs and catch up with trends.2) Cold Calling always works.This old but effective technique always works.

You can give them a new lease with an effective date the day after expiration and they can choose to sign and stay or to move out at the end of their current lease.If they are on a month-to-month lease, then you can make any changes you want with 30-day notice.

Didn't effect my loan amount, but you very well could get that $325k from a new appraiser, if there are new comps, or now that some work has been done, etc.

All other terms remain in effect.

The change in pricing on second home loans will go into effect nationwide however, not just high cost markets.

There's a 30 days wait period after you sign up before coverage takes effect.

Maybe sell off one or two of your least favorite properties and buy something better, or the ones with the most equity and leverage that equity more effectively.