Which sounds more beneficial?

An individual with a bad credit score could JV with another investor especially if they have beneficial experience to real estate investing, ie construction, licensed agent, property management, wholesaling, etc.

No clue, however, if you do accept it:1) Get something in writing and mutually accepted/understood. 

If I pay it off, I'd be carrying one less mortgage which would be beneficial in terms of my primary goal; acquiring my first 4 plex and more from there. 

In a state with higher property tax this can be especially beneficial.

You have to decide whether you want to learn how to handle them or throw in the towel and invest in mutual funds.

Depending on the remaining lease term, maybe add a Lease Addendum to add a pest clause (it would have to be mutually agreed to by you and the tenants) or wait and add the clause to all future leases, including renewals. 

If you need to step in and do it yourself, it will be a little work, there will be a learning curve but you will find it beneficial and profitable.

I personally wouldn’t have paid someone which forced me to learn it on my own which was extremely beneficial to me.

We are interested in cultivating strategic relationships in the real estate community that can be beneficial for everyone involved.