How do you guys keep your utilities cost down ?

The new rental rate for the Townhome in early 2020 was about $350 above mortgage, HOA and utilities are not included.

2 - I've reviewed the lease agreements and it appears that the landlord is paying for all utilities.

A week later the landlord came into the office (this was in Ohio, where utility bills are/were part of the property) to see if they had paid their bill.

So usually utilities are not included. 

This entire coastline is booming with construction and remodelling and is in dire need of help - maybe starting your own handyman business or something that utilizes your current skillset could be a starting point?

@Nick Mcroberts,You potentially could utilize the equity gained by refinancing the property your IRA owns.

Too many people on both sides of the aisle that have utilized the 1031, which as you know just turned 100 years old. 

Rents in the area continue to rise and home prices have had double digit growth for nearly 3 years (97405 zip code).

Insurance, Principle payments, interest, utilities, wages, maintenance, prop mgmt, vacancy, taxesAm I forgetting anything?