I would eat the costs and fix the yard and either install a sprinkler or pay a PM company to water it.

The School of Hard Knocks is the best education, but if your company will pay for it, I would go with an MBA for future (non-RE) career development.

.✅ Tariffs & “America First” ManufacturingTrump has made it clear—he’s bringing manufacturing back to the U.S.Expect tariffs on China, Mexico, and other foreign producers—forcing companies to reinvest in American infrastructure, factories, and real estate.That means more demand for industrial real estate, warehouses, and logistics hubs right here in the U.S.And guess who’s already looking into those opportunities?

Are there any good property management companies that are familiar with Section 8? 

I have a few rentals with section 8 tenants, and they tend to stay on average 4-5 years.

Of course your other debts including student loans go into the mix to come up with your total debt to income but the income needed  is a lot smaller then a lot of borrowers in your situation tend to  think.  

I have spent the last few years working in the Pre-Fab ADU space and now working with a company called Live Near Friends and help people buy real estate with the purpose of living closer to the people they care about. 

Quote from @Dawn Harris: We have a STR managed by a property management company.

Yet the payment processor is issuing the 1099-K to the property management company.

I’d try my best to be outside the beltway in Baltimore county, generally the nicer areas, I tend to especially like Towson, lutherville, even parkville is a good value.