I'd ask for the camera footage if the person who did the inspection has it and shop around, it is not uncommon for a vendor to see the value of a house, size someone up and recommend higher priced fixes than are necessary.

You should absolutely shop around, I've found that the loan products that banks and credit unions will offer vary so much!

@Nicklaus McCain first, at this point of the market environment please keep in mind that rent increase may not be possible in the next 3-6 or even 2 months.There is a wide range of ways you can reduce expenses apart from the ones you mentioned above.One of the easiest ways is to shop around for better quotes for Insurance and contract services.

How do you continue to improve your analytical skills while also not redirecting precious time from your criteria window?

There might be a small window of opportunity to catch some good deal before the thing gets back to normal.Stack it up in the bank and keep watching the market I would say. worst case if there is nothing to buy, we will end up with more cash in the bank anyway haha

My tenants broke the vinyl frame of the sliding glass window.

Saying 'no' to pets will drastically reduce your candidate pool, so you might shop for a pet-friendly house (hard floors, securely fenced yard).Even if you're cool with pets, you should meet the specific pets and have a good long talk with the candidate on that animal's temperament and quirks prior to agreeing to lease to them.

Why, because say you change the window glazing and it effects the exterior wall value.

I am worried about tenant safety (especially with cars on the street, row homes with windows and front doors on the street, which are both very common here).

You rented here because it was close to your job, bars, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, etc.