We decided to halt all new loans with the borrower until current projects were completed and be repaid.In April, we sent counsel to the first hearing pertaining to code violations and began to learn of information that was contrary to the third-party inspection reports.

The majority of investors have utilized low down payment conventional mortgages, or DSCR loans and the majority were able to secure seller concessions between 1-3%. 

I'm not sure how much of that is going on right now, but I'm sure there are always traveling nurses and doctors coming into this area that need short term housing.A lot, of property management companies will only do a minimum of one year leases, but I think there is good value to be had in the short term rental game, as long as you have a good strategy and a management company that is align with your vision.When I was leasing full-time, I used to get a lot of calls from insurance companies who have clients who's properties have been in a fire or some natural disaster and need short term housing, and they're also willing to pay a lot higher than market rent. 

Any advice on if we should use it to pay off our loans against two of our retirement accounts (that we took out for the downpayment on the first STR) in order to lower the monthly bills or if we can/should cash out one or two of our retirement accounts (457 and/or 403b) and pay off the loans? 

You can definitely invest out of state - a lot of my out of state real estate clients are successfully BRRRRing and flipping houses in Columbus Ohio! 

For water we always keep that in the owner's name (since, in our area at least, water bills run with the house and not the customer).

I found a house in coddo mills that is around 300K and I need to pay $300 every month from my pocket after renting out that house due to current high interest rates (25% down payment). 

It's a 3/2 , 1,680sqft house in Braselton with a finished basement (2 bedrooms, den) and a recently converted garage.

I have access to the VA loan.

Cash on cash is pitiful, but it’s 8.5% loan which will look good when I refinance at 6% or so.