I know they're hardworking people and will give you honest advice on the work needed to be done.I leave in Renton, WA (Close to Seattle).Do you have a project timeline when to start/end?

Just leave it under the house..instead of using the very costly Trane unit I would use the cheapest no name brand..if it blows up in 8 years who cares?

So leave me the hell alone.  

Price is not his #1 concern. 

When push comes to shove, they'll drop you like a hot potato and leave you holding the bag.

I also will likely be moving within the next year to the West Coast, so I'm concerned that investing locally won't actually provide the benefit to manage myself.Am I overthinking it?

@Dominique Porter I would be a little concerned with a 4 unit or less in Macon requiring $160,000 all in cost.

Is leaving the 60,000 in equity on the first home a bad idea?

I would not be in the least bit concerned but if you are you should pull out all the equity from the properties.Invest it in a REIT or income fund and it should easily will double the return it is presently earning.  

Tenants trashed the place and they could just leave and rent another place.