As for your neighbors, they could have exemptions like Homestead, widow, military disability and many others that can reduce the amount of taxes.

FreedomSoft doesn't do anything but monetize CL and other obvious public info for their benefit.

The Title Holding Trust or Land Trust will keep your name of the public record, but it can also complicate the property ownership and management. 

House hacking with an SFDU could be a smart first step since it allows you to reduce your housing costs while building equity.

Even in the nice locations, most top out around $2,800.Of course there is also your increased insurance, vacancy, repairs, CapEx, and the never mentioned reduced rent on the main house since having a stranger living in your backyard usually isn't appealing to most renters. 

In the long-run this could reduce turn-over, maintence costs, vacancy and the need in the first place to have to offer $500 discount off the first month's rent.

Do you think certain methods help reduce late payments?

This resulted in longer times to re-rent and well as reducing the rental pool.

David A cost segregation study can be beneficial for properties under $400k by accelerating depreciation to reduce taxable income.

After purchase the assessment office was given the survey and quickly reduced the acreage for taxation to 1.8 acres also.