First duplex- house hack

[Leslie Crosten]

Hello everyone! I just had an offer accepted on a duplex that will be my first investment property and plan on house-hacking for at least a year! The side that is vacant currently will be the side I live in and it was already updated decently before the house was listed to sell (new windows, paint, carpet looks pretty clean). I could do some small cosmetic things while I am living there, but overall not much needs done. The other side, however, is not BAD at all, but it is something I would like to update in the near future (not as much was updated on that side before selling as it is occupied). It is currently rented by a small young family, on a month to month lease. What is the best way to go about doing updates, some bigger and some smaller, while it is occupied? 

Thanks for all the advice and tips!! Excited to start this REI journey! I can also add some pictures of the house and would love some opinions on the updating...

*I also need to remember this is a rental and not my forever home! I can justify putting down some more sturdy flooring in the main areas and getting rid of the carpet there, but do not need to update everything and make it a class A property when it is in more of a class B- neighborhood! *not screw up my return on investment*

[Heather Hickman]

What updates are you hoping to accomplish on the rental side?  If the current tenants do leave, would you consider switching which side you live in so you can update without worrying about timelines and vacancies?  Would the tenants be willing to move in to the more updated side, or is there a significant difference in rent?

My husband and I just recently bought an 1840's duplex and have had to do the same thing.  We are using the "nicer" side as a short term rental and living in the "rougher" side so we can fix it up to rent in the future.