I want to structure it in a way so that we are paid back so that the loan balance can be reduced quickly.

Here is the problem, back when you were worried and stressed you were grateful that they helped you through a hard time and now that the worry and stress is gone you think you were taken advantage of.All that being said, I would talk to an attorney. 

And the refinance will reduce your payment by $x per month.Closing costs/monthly savings = payback period. 

Boston rents are sky high -- anything you can do to reduce your expenses (your living expense is your greatest expense right now, probably) go do it.

They typically charge by the hour.Any brokers worth anything are not typically going to want to work for reduced fees.Look at it this way.

If you're looking for a RE investment to reduce your expenses and hedge the safest risk I would say go with condos.

I guess the question I would want know is if you can operate your business in a different location at a reduced rent?

Before exploring this concept with a qualified legal and tax professional, I wonder if any of the community has anecdotal experience around taking a distribution from a 401K and balancing the earned income taxes with ...

Ugh, I hate water issues.Anyway, resident understands that the fix isn't immediate and asked if he could get a reduced rent for his subpar living conditions (collecting the water at the two windows, cleaning it up, keeping belonging away from the windows, etc.).

If you are trying to buy a rental, that is in need of repairs, then you should again look at a hard money loan to reduce your cash out of pocket, then after the repairs are complete, refinance into a conventional loan (but the loan will most likely be in your personal name!)