Is there a way to decrease the base charges from the city?

My concern is that further regulation/taxes decreases the flow of capital into the market from outside of the state and country.Again, I am bullish on the economic fundamentals of the market and this isn't intended to be a doom and gloom post.

It concluded: "Rent control appears to help affordability in the short run for current tenants, but in the long-run decreases affordability, fuels gentrification, and creates negative externalities on the surrounding neighborhood.

You put in $7k less, and monthly inflow will decrease slightly. 

Will my slight decrease of cash flow be worth it?

If you're barely paying P&I, I would suggest raising the rent, and decreasing landlord costs.

There's only one way to improve DTI on a loan application - add more income or decrease the outgoing debt.

Pay off one of the mortgages which would then increase their cashflow and decrease their expenses meaning they need less reserves. 

@April TsotsosI think as we age, our risk appetite decreases, especially since our W2 income stream is coming to an end. 

Your money is whatever balance you have in your account, if you bought stocks or options and they increased in value, their current value is yours (same if they decreased in value).