This should get you to 5 to 10 cities.A rental property is no more valuable than the jobs around it so you need to look at job stability in each of the cities.

I honestly see no benefit other than higher higher DTI limits if you needed them--up to 55 percent with strong compensating factors; otherwise, same guidelines as conventional loans except paying an interest rate premium for the Homepath product.

per month and lower tenant stability in most cases. 

If your goal to to set up a production style operation where you do multiple properties you will want to hire a good GC as it will cost you more in lost revenue than the money you save by not paying a GC.  

THat puts the finished product ready for market on October 25th.

Can anyone advise on this or any other strategies to hold on to this property as a productive investment?

You will get very frustrated with your results if your end goal is to create SEO through blogging alone.However, there are a number of side benefits to blogging:1) Visitors to your site that you produce in your ordinary course of business will have a chance to view content that educates them about products and services related to your business and gives them a chance to get to know your company.2) You will develop knowledge and expertise in the area that you are writing about.  

Are they always selling stuff, yes ... but they are selling products that they believe will benefit your business.

Currently, I am using a couple of products that I cobbled together to make my process easier (or at least it is to me!).

Jason,I would think there is a product out there for him.