The market is crazy right now and will be for the next 2 to 3 yearsdue to inflation devaluing the dollar, inflation increasing newbuilding costs.

I've been gradually increasing rent.

This is a very valuable skillset to have in your arsenal as an investor that can dramatically increase your net worth in a short period of time if the strategy is applied correctly.  

The property has a 3 car garage that could be rented to tenants to increase ROI. 

That way they keep their licenses and ratings.I don't see much of a difference really.Don't keep them out as they will get increasingly suspicious and they might pull your permit for non-compliance.

Increase your earnings, reduce expenses, save up, and invest.

Increasing for times when there is more demand and decreasing when it is slow. 

If you can get your Vantage Score up 50 points, you will see positive results on the mortgage scores as well, it just may be 30 or 40 points or could be 60 to 80 point increase vs Vantage increase of 50 points. 

Yeap, exactly same as Zillow's Zestimate increased the price of houses.

The US taxes global income which dramatically increases the reporting requirements.