I would first get clear on where you are heading, and how much you are expecting to clear from your sale in order to better establish a buy box for the replacement property.

If there are some good/cheaper suburbs outside the city limits that might be better

Chances are better that you'll never see the money again.Learning about real estate wholesaling here on Bigger Pockets will sharpen your negotiating skills and perhaps be the source of your next deal.

I have also heard that its better to have black or white appliances for long term rentals as they don’t show dents as much as stainless steel does, but the stainless-steel look is the look that surrounding rentals are going for.

You will get better responses. 

Usually if you work with an accountant the pricing is better.

I feel so much better now. 

It will also sell better 

It wasn't super painful, but could've make our first year better.

Scaling only makes sense if you can make the money available in the house make a better return than where it is now.