Either they don't know, or I can convince them my 3% is going to be cheaper than closing cost on a refinance, which is usually true. 

Also remember that cheaper isn't always better, ask for pictures and references for a tar and gravel removal job of that size and multiple flat roof references.

My question is, do I sell this home to gain capital in order to invest into “cheaper” rentals and attempt to BRRRR?

There are cheaper alternatives in New York.

Self management is a bit of work, but a lot of the newer, cheaper, local PMs started out as remote self managers who decided to start a PM company to make a day job out of it.

In your case they're leased.The advantage is usually that you'll get somewhat cheaper electricity.  

Similar to what re agents use, just a little more archaic for the cheaper one.

The answers have been varied with a LLC mentioned most often.But, because of the $800 annual tax CA imposes, a business trust has been mentioned next most frequently or out-of-state, "foreign" LLC's, which although cheaper to implement can have expensive drawbacks (extra tax return, costs if legal action out-of-state, etc), I've been warned.My seed money is $15K of a $20K non-earned lump sum from Social Security.

Unfortunately, this is one of the challenges around cheaper houses...Best of luck!

You might find that your tenants don't even care about the older fridge and you might be able to get away with replacing cheaper items, at least for the time being.