I realize the slow and steady way is to pay off the mortgages and increase cashflow, but it seems like that will take forever. 

When cap rates return to historical norms, values will drop unless net operating income increases.

I'm hoping my odds of a rezone greatly increase if I partner with a contractor that has dealt with powers that be.I talked to a contractor earlier in the day that advised me to reach out to the zoning commission, but to do my best to avoid stating my specific address as I'd then be "On their radar." 

So for example you would buy your own domain name : info @ OliviaKoller.com and attract better quality hits than using just a gmail name.Another tip is to watch and start to pay attention what other professionals are using.

In the matter of days NOI has jumped $12k, sounded like there was an opportunity to increase rents, now it sounds like rents have already been increased and there may not be much room for improvement. 

In addition the rent would likely increase after the rehab so that 500 cash flow would be more likely 6-800.

Increasing my cash flow monthly and taking advantage of appreciation in a couple of years

It's not too difficult.QBO (Quickbooks Online) is easier and this initially attracted me more.

I don’t know why it has seen such an increase in price for the area.....

Now that I am a Realtor in Colorado, I am also required to disclose that on my listings as well that I have an ownership stake in a property in the advertisements.I also have not really seen a difference with the tenant's treatment of me as the property manager vs being the owner except one time a tenant did try to pressure me into paying for a silly upgrade saying that as the owner and I could afford it and the $100 month rent increase should pay for the new ceiling [The upgrade was to re-texture the whole ceiling of a 1000 sq foot apartment because it had swirls and minor hairline cracks (built in 1920) and this tenant did not like the swirls -- changing the swirls would cost thousands and not result in any more rent]