I currently live in Portland and have my primary residence here, and trying to figure out my first step.

You can't control what the interest rate is, and each scenario has its pros/cons.However, you CAN get clarity on what your goals are and then work your way backwards to figure out whether or not selling or refinancing makes sense currently. 

Possibly buying a home that is for sale by owner.  

What you need is data on what rates/costs/terms you can get on DSCR and then base your decision on real figures.  

I am trying to figure out all that.  

Here are a few areas we like to recommend to investors: Cheviot/Westwood“Stable” sales market with predictable rental income and stable tenants.

An adjacent similarly sized property is currently for sale for $350k. 

I have purchased a few properties through tax sales, sometimes you can find great deals.

This is new to me and I know NJ isn't the best state to be a landlord, so trying to figure out what my rights are.Secondary question - is it worth going through the small claims process to recover $7,000 from this person?

Does anyone else find these cost figures to be off?