If you reduce to $2,300 and are able to fill the property faster, yes, you are "losing" $100 per month, but even at that rate, it would take two whole years to equal the loss of the $2,400 vacancy month.

A 1031 exchange doesn’t apply, but funding through a self-directed IRA can defer taxes, though profits from debt financing may trigger UBIT.To reduce taxes, consider forming an LLC for better expense deductions, offsetting gains with investment losses, or holding the property for 12+ months to qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Have you ever had a capital loss?

Is the cash flow loss a lot less than than the equity and what is the plan to be cash flow positive? 

That still has the 50% use requirement, but can be used to create a tax loss. 

This is obviously much better than $1,400 per month.On top of that, you will now get 2x the depreciation write-off so your taxes should go down.On top of that, you will now get 2x the appreciation when real estate price go up.On top of that, your tenants are helping you pay down the loan, initially at about $100/mo for both properties, which gradually gets better and better.On top of that, you now have more units so if one or two goes vacant, you have more renters covering the losses of the vacant units.If you want to keep these properties, I would do a cash-out refi and go buy more rental real estate.

I can release my properties without much loss if I have to. 

I appreciate it.Aside from the option to be added as 'additional insured' they have the option to purchase a  "ProtectionPlus Bundle' from Surevestor, which includes several things like protection against eviction costs, wilful damage to property, over a $1 Million third party liability protection, loss of rent protection for 25 weeks etc.This is $50/month.

If you do have gains, you may be able to offset other properties losses to reduce the tax burden.

Note this election MUST be made in the year of the dispositions.2) 1031 - There's usually no tax on gains or losses when swapping property for similar property.