Your student loan debt is being serviced from after aftertax income, so that 6.8% needs to be adjusted for your marginal tax rate to yield what you must actually earn to service that debt (could be closer to 9-10% pre-tax).If you have forced appreciation in the house and it will appraise for 135K, you may be able to pull additional equity from the home to pay down (or pay off) your student debt ... effectively transferring your student loan (6.8%) to your mortgage (4.x%?).  

I learned long ago while being a manager in corporate America that people want to earn, not be given things.

Gotta have a cpa review and make the call.But those, to me, are two ways that you can look to reduce your taxes this year.Accelerated depreciation is definitely going to give you a bigger deduction.

But they earn it.. they took the massive action to run the thing etc..Good luck...

What this all means is that if you are close to the edge, you either need to put more cash in to lower your payment, or reduce some of your other payments (car loan, credit cards), or make more money - for example, take a second job until you get through your loan. 

I hope the best for your learning and earning endeavors!

That way I could occupy one of the units at a reduced rate while saving money for a down payment on another property.

That will allow you to earn money transacting in real estate which I believe is your intention.Your not going to be able to find (m)any agents who would be willing to work with a buyer interested in those strategies.

But if you want to reduce your taxable income on the Self-Storage Facility, then pay your management company somewhere around 7-8%. 

It captures higher rents and reduces service calls.