Additionally, the reason we hesitate to sell is because we've got an accessory apt in basement with income stream as well as a separate office for where I work every day (self employed).

I'm about 3 things when it comes to my properties:1) Pay the rent on time every month (by the first)2) Not wrecking my property, treat it like a home and with respect3) No Meth Labs (really no drama of any type, especially police drama)Rick

Thanks @Wesley Williams for the intro@Jonathan Smith there's a lot you can do with just a little marketing.You could call the basement an "office" or a "den" and that's something you could market for higher rent.Also, I've written in detail about an "Inn Keeper" profit center where the landlord joint ventures with the tenant to host Airbnb/VRBO guests. 

We also require them to give us a copy of all lisc and insurance information.We also realize that we live and die by having good vendors, we hold vendor appreciation parties when they all come to our office and we provide food and drinks and thank them for the hard and great work they have done. 

I had a friend a few weeks ago describe a large portion of Troy (esp the Lansingburgh area) as "scary as f****" For a while, postal workers were demanding (and getting) police escorts.

(We have a specific person dedicated to ordering the appraisals in our office to speed up the process) and the payment request is sent to you.

But the city zoning office is a good place to start.

@Rick Chowtax properties can be a great interest income or turn into deeds, talk to tax offices and do your research...

If it's too confusing to try and work with the county's office right now you could always just ask another local REI.  

I wanted to purchase a small commercial office building and was rejected and loan officer suggested they were concerned about what to do about current properties because of my age.