We've installed the Moen leak detection device, which detects leaks both hot water and cold water, and monitors water usage and gives you weekly reports.

I don't think any water is coming into the crawlspace other than the plumbing leaks in pipes running under the house.   

My question is should I just suck it up until April, or should I drop my rent rates now to get renters.

I am not saying to drop it $500 just to get someone in.

In that scenario (right now unlikely for the next few years) you may get under water if you didn’t account for it.I never found a bank that would do fix rate for more than 5 years.

Has anyone ever caught a fish and dropped it on the bank?

By improvements I mean that there is power, water and sewer/septic installed and working.

Quote from @Jaycee Greene: Unless you already have a capital reserve fund that will pay for unforeseen, major expenses, like a new water heater, roof, or A/C unit for example, I'd keep the profits in the account until it can cover 6-12 months of operating expenses.

It also has the benefit of being local which is great training wheels as you learn how to be a killer host.Now assuming that you mostly want a cool property to stay in sometimes near water and don't want to spend a ton of time managing I really like the outer banks in NC.

Pretty often no water, sewer, power or even roads to the property.