Should I reset the owner occupancy clock now?

[Adam Aero]

I'm living in one half of a duplex as owner-occupied for 8 months now. After 4 more months, I'll have roughly $30k do-anything cash (aside from emergency fund). I look for MFH under or around $100k that need a bit of fixing up. (So 20% down and $10k of mostly DIY improvements.)

I will do BRRRR with my one and only duplex, then buy and move into another house in 2023. Although, I could reset the year clock of owner-occupancy with this duplex by having the refinance done this month. Should I scramble to get renovations/improvements done this month? Or should I just wait until I find another MFH and leisurely do the renovations on my duplex in the next 4 months?

I know interest rates are still somewhat high, but I mistakenly got a 15-year loan. So regardless, I will refi to 30-year and cash out $7-10k. Then I will try to do an FHA insured loan with the next MFH I buy sometime in 2023.

That may have been confusing. Here:

Option 1

- Get improvements done this month and refi the duplex. This resets the year long owner occupancy.

- Buy another MFH whenever. I will not be owner-occupying it. 

Option 2

- Get improvements done in the next 4 months. Refi after those 4 months--but not owner occupied.

- Buy another MFH after at least 4 months. I will be owner-occupying this one.