You have control and use of the property but not ownership so it still leaves the door open so you can do the 1031 on the sale of the old properties into the new one held by the EAT.  

it keeps the highest and best from leaving way too much money on the table.  

If they leave you before their lease is up keep their deposit to cover your one month of vacancy and move on  and this time add this to your  tenant screening procedure:  let the applicants rack up before you make a decision on your next tenant. 

So those folks often take baths, using the ear plugs during the filling or leaving after turning the water on and returning at a precise time to turn it off and get in the water.  

I guess once again Florida is behind the times.I agree with many (if not all of your points) for your markets, but for most of the eastcoast online auctions are in place and the big players will certainty work a deal with a title company to get a good deal or maybe free for their work.Now, this leaves a big market of investors trying to wedge their way into auctions.I guess the main points of contention here as i see them are 2.1.

Want to up my game.Started searching college towns, commuter towns outside of Boston (Manchester,NH , Providence, New Haven) trying not to be fearful of leaving my comfort zone ( Boston) which is highly priced as you know.Well, I found I very quite town in NH , nothing special about it , no big business, no huge draw but the population is holding its own, low crime...just a quaint town.This particular property is 8 unit with 6 add'l storage units & 2 garages ( those aren't bringing in revenue as of yet, not utilized) All are in good shape, not worn or old. 

Or leave them under their each individual mortgage?

I was looking at the refi option because the amount I can get for rent would just about cover the new mortgage on our primary, leaving us almost no money out of pocket for living.

If the custom in your area is for only nine month leases, leaving you to scramble for short term tenants during the summer, it will be harder. 

Moving because of work, increase in family size, leaving a jointly owned property.