If you sold the properties, and invested the proceeds as 20% DP (let's take out 10% for CC), you'd be paying $1.125M for a PV of $5.625M. 

Please advise if this is worth going to small claims court or just pay the fee for carpets, around $800.

While some states have better protections for LLCs than others, when it comes to real estate courts only want to recognize local protections.

I filed a claim with his insurance and got my money back that way without having to take him to court.

Out in the farm country a rock pile setup over years on what is believed to be the boundary is treated by the courts as the boundary regardless of the legal description. 

.#2: The Low Interest Rate Environment Means Financially Conservative Sellers Can’t Generate Much Income on Their Proceeds through Bank DepositsMany non-owner occupant property owners bought their properties as a way to safely create an income stream.

So, when trying to split utility bills, that they agreed to in their leases, we've had Class C tenants not pay claiming other unit(s):1) Are using more of the utility then they are2) Have more people3) Are having family & friends over to wash their clothes4) Wash their car5) Etc...When we've taken nonpaying tenants to court and included nonpaid split utilities in their past due balance, some judges have thrown out the utilities.We still split utilities on multi-unit leases, but warn owners it may not be able to get tenants to pay.Best bet is to separate when possible.

Then went to refinance, where the follow on refinance lender paid off the HELOC with the proceeds of the cash out refi, at closing. 

I was able to use the proceeds from my first home to put myself in a position to buy a few more.

GA  start to finish can be as quick at 90 days although the trustee's can be slow to record the trustee deed sometimes 45 to 60 day lag this was always an issue when I was buying court house steps properties in greater Atlanta.. 2.