I am in this camp myself, as I do this full time.I agree with your point about focusing on long-term sustainability rather than chasing maximum rental income at the cost of increased tenant turnover or property damage.

Specifically, the cost to have it corrected is now a known material fact. 

., to 2.5x or 2.75x) since tenants won’t have additional out-of-pocket utility costs.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

If you don't want to finance the other projects then you should consider your opportunity costs.   

Leasing is a specialized skill—PMs deal with this daily, making them far better equipped to handle applications, verify income, conduct background checks, and evaluate a tenant’s overall suitability.Protecting Your Investment:The cost of a bad tenant can be far greater than the cost of hiring a professional.

Vendors who partner with Costco pay for market exposure and referrals, which often adds to the final cost passed on to the customer.

With that being said we tend to see a lot of CA buyers relocate here for the lower cost of living including lower home values, property taxes, insurance, no state income tax, gas prices etc.

The only approach I’ve found effective is offering a deposit alternative, which lowers upfront costs for tenants without devaluing your property.

These costs would eat into your profits.The case for sellingEven at $125/month, your cash flow is slim, and any unexpected expenses could turn this property into a liability rather than an asset.