My initial strategy for this was to find an income producing investment property for under $215K and then use the remaining (after having to painfully pay the cap gains) to payoff my Bronx property and/OR save for a down payment on an actual house for my growing family.  

.” ~ Thomas Paine

That is completely subjective to the laws in your area.The one thing that works anywhere, is bring over a few hundred dollars and offer cash for keys and offer to forgive the balance if it's not too high.I know it is painful to do however it is cheaper than going through in a veteran and you were guaranteed for him to leave the place nice.Good luck, don't get discouraged, it's just part of the game.

I would also say that your best move is to adjust your perspective and take a slightly different approach.Your first deal is always going to be a pain and if it's not one thing, it's another.

I can always refi and pull the money out again(pain in the butt) to loan. 

files to BBB, and letters to people to help with my Pain

But submeters are installed for each individual unit which tell you how much electricity each unit used, and you bill the tenant accordingly.It's more of a pain in the a$$ from an accounting standpoint, but it's a lot cheaper than installing individual meters for each unit.

Or perhaps they have a total pain the rear, that is bleeding them dry.

I learned so much more about asset protection and relief.

The guy basically did not say a single word during the showing, and was clearly and painfully "friend-zoned" like you wouldn't believe, it was kind of hilarious yet sad.