Paying off the notes, working to pre-emptively make repairs to capex items before they fail or become a major issue think roof, HVAC, and foundation.

Are there any good property management companies that are familiar with Section 8? 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

I personally recommend checking Columbus OH - lots of job growth, population growth, and major companies moving and developing here.

I am interested in meeting mortgage brokers, investors, and real-estate agents in the Austin area, as well as anyone who can connect my abilities as an engineer to a tech company in the area.I love learning new things, and not knowing how to do a thing has never stopped me from doing it.

Would you hire a property management company?)

Some outreach to local companies with a transient workforce may be worth your time - you'd have 1 lease rather than 5 (1 per bedroom). 

For example, the insurance company offers you $100k.

Is there some reason that you or the company simply don't discuss what happened and use this as an opportunity to turn a negative post into a positive one for the company?  

These companies selling products tend to drain agents dry at these conventions selling every do dad that is supposed to give them an edge over everybody else.