I am mostly considering doing this to use losses from the rental property to cut back on my taxes from the non taxed commissions I receive. 

Do not cut any corners to make a property look good on paper.  

OR will I need to suck it up, cut back into the floor, install a toilet flange with a kickback and just get it done?

This is not the place to cut corners. 

Otherwise, if you just paid half twice a month, you would only save a small amount of monthly interest, but you wouldn't cut time and interest off your mortgage balance. 

Although none of us were thrilled about the idea of pets, she had been in the property for a number of years, pays on time and cuts the grass.The upstairs tenant has recently moved out, and we are rehabbing the upstairs unit, as it was very dated and we'd like to get a little more in rent.

Costs the same to cut the grass whether it's 2 units or 4.Finally, are you okay downsizing?

Cut both my commute and housing expenses by two thirds.

Also, there's ways to cut down on a lot of those taxes by using a Solo 401K as long as you aren't doing the work yourself & don't need the profits.

Worse yet, I've now seen a few people on forums and over emails repeatedly refer certain contractors or trades in exchange for a cut of the business.