Here are a couple of suggestions to speed things up:1. 

Stay informed about market trends, property management best practices, and adjust your strategies as needed.

So, even if the properties declined 10-15% further, arm gets adjusted, the increase in mortgage payment per month should not be significant (I believe interest rate will stay low for a while.)

The repair estimate - I do my own repairs so it's slightly different but I have found that a 20% cushion for overages is good to start with - then adjust accordingly as you become better.Just my $0.02 - Best of luck

Any advice on how to speed up the process with the lender?

Does anyone have any resources that can be used to access values for adjustments to be made when making appraisals in different areas.I know that a pool or an extra bedroom in San Diego, California will merit a different deduction then Orlando, FL, but how much exactly?

You can always adjust your Trust. 

He wants to turn down the federal money for our "high speed" train because of the massive subsidies required to sustain the program.

Specifically, the language lifted from failed HB 1728 and added to these bills, the former, Section 101, 3, (E) does not include, with respect to a residential mortgage loan, a person, estate or trust that provides mortgage financing for the sale of 1 property in any 36 month period, provided that such loan:(i) Is fully amortizing(ii) Is with respect to a sale for which the seller determines in good faith and documents that the buyer has a reasonable ability to repay(iii) Has a fixed rate or an adjustable rate that is adjustable after 5 or more years, subject to reasonable annual and life-time limitations on interest rate increases, and meets any other criteria the Federal banking agencies may subscribeContact your state representative and ask to have seller financing de-coupled from the following bills: HR4173 and the ‘Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010′.I invite you to follow up with your Senators (before the Senate bill is voted upon) and Congressmen (regarding an amendment should it pass the Senate) with emails, phone calls, letters and personal appointments when they’re back in our home states.

Enter your adjusted basis in the property.