I’m kind of looking for alternative ideas for generating income from the money if I were to sell them.

But an alternative to consider if the banks are making it difficult is to establish medium term leases (month to month lease) with traveling nurses or other work related travel. 

Or are there any alternatives to making sure the bill stays low?

If you just have 1 or 2 syndicates and don’t plan for a lot of growth there are cheaper alternatives.

Terms can range from: 5/1 ARMs, 10/1 ARMs 15-Yr Fixed, 25-yr, or 30-yr fixed (Yes even for commercial loans - but more often available through your non-bank or 'Bank-Alternative' lenders).If you have a portfolio of 15-SFR's with strong equity, you're likely looking at a 75% LTV max (assuming good credit >720-740+) with a non-bank lender.

There's been a lot of changes in the industry and many of us "movers and shakers" are working to legitimize tiny homes (and other alternative style housing) by engaging the authorities having jurisdiction as well as standards creating organizations.

Can you comment on the alternative of putting these expenses on a Schedule C? 

So, I am looking at alternatives. 

A much less expensive alternative would be to fence a small area--large enough for the dog to have some space to run around, but nothing on the scale of an entire yard.

Alternatively I am aware of a 26 unit property that was just sent to me this last week that I am interested in but I have not fully vetted it yet, in MO asking $1.25M, you could then use the remaining amount to possibly purchase some smaller properties or as a down payment still on something else.