As the value goes lower, there are few options.As @Shaun McNally said Gold Coast is one of the local PMs.

My next project is to remove the chain link fence in the front and add a nice white picket fence to add to the old craftsman charm.

Vacancy kills landlords, and good long-term tenants are worth their weight in gold.

@Scott TrenchI gotta echo what you are saying.I have a house that had a few broken down cars, dogs chained up, and the inside was completely trashed.

A good one is worth their weight in gold.

I feel like option 1 would get me stuck in the rat race much longer and make me feel like I'm stuck and chained to my house mortgage.  

The kind you do consistently for a long time :)Lots of people will say direct mail is still the gold standard.

Normally you need proof to lower the valuation...so if this was an arms length non-foreclosure purchase and you have an appraisal...that could be worth gold....you could take your contract and appraisal and argue that is the current value...with a professional opinion to back it up...who has seen the home and not valued by mass appraisal standards.If you bought by some other means, then they may not approve the reduction.If you're not holding it long term it may not be worth the fight.Your savings might be $300-$400 a year...so long term it can help...and it might help by keeping the value lower for longer. 

If any contractor who specializes in foundations were interested they'd probably strike gold there.Aside from that, the numbers.

All three books are gold!