This is going to be a little more pragmatic than what I usually offer around here, but I'd suggest walking into the communal bathroom of any college dorm for about five minutes early on in your decision making cycle.

Hello,My partner and I are interested in a communal co-living property located on the outskirts of Detroit, MI.

The heat comes from direct-electric. communal water and sewer.

This location will have more space inside, with communal tables.

The tenants are sitting in the living room, entertaining guests, and then here you come along with a bag of dirty clothes.Other than that, I can't really think of too much of a downside to you living in the garage apartment while tenants have the house.If there are amenities or accommodations that are in the house or that are "communal" (i.e., the backyard, the parking, etc.), then I would recommend that you try and work out the logistics before you bring in a tenant.

Once I get more properties a plan on creating a more communal fund, but this helps me sleep at night now.

I provide inexpensive vertical or horizontal blinds for privacy on townhomes and condos just due to the nature of communal living, but no curtains.  

Peter, when considering Multi VS Single - consider the additional owner burden responsibility and the communal area you would be responsible for serving, yard, snow - then you need to define if the utilities are separately metered or not etc.

Thanks...Looks like there is a "communal" back yard area.

If it is at the foreclosure stage she needs to seek any available financial assistance and start looking for a place she can afford.This is a factor with HOA managed communal living.