Turn key - although I put about 3,000 into some minor cosmetic updates - mainly replaced an old sliding door with french doors to the backyardPurchased using my VA loan at 3.75%One side is currently rented at 1400/mo until February and the house around the corner just rented for 1600 (3/2 1500 sq ft too).Other side I'm living in with my own bathroom while two roommates upstairs are paying 600/mo + splitting utilities.At closing I actually got a check back for roughly 1200 after earnest money was $2,000 so I got into the property for $800 plus my cosmetic fixing costs.Current rent as we stand is 2400 and mortgage is 1796...

Turn key - although I put about 3,000 into some minor cosmetic updates - mainly replaced an old sliding door with french doors to the backyardPurchased using my VA loan at 3.75%One side is currently rented at 1400/mo until February and the house around the corner just rented for 1600 (3/2 1500 sq ft too).Other side I'm living in with my own bathroom while two roommates upstairs are paying 600/mo + splitting utilities.At closing I actually got a check back for roughly 1200 after earnest money was $2,000 so I got into the property for $800 plus my cosmetic fixing costs.Current rent as we stand is 2400 and mortgage is 1796...

I never thought I would be so happy to see a french drain at one of my units.

Reframe to be level with house, closet, french doors.

We finally found one that looked really attractive, here are the following features: 4bd/1bth, ceiling fans in each room, French door that leads from the living room to a small deck outside, parking for up to 3 cars, washer & dryer, clean basement.

I know they recently changed the laws there regarding STR's but if I read them correctly, it sounds like you just need to apply for a license and as long as you live on the property, and it's not in the French Quarter, you can rent out an STR for an unlimited amount of time. 

You could replace the word church in my question with temple or many old building types not designed for living in full time.Traditional french religious institutions used to own and still own many old buildings of all kinds across France and have been selling a number of them for a relatively reasonable amount of money.

Proper drainage is key here and we've had a lot of success with routing drainage underground and into a drain pipe and/or french drain that ends with either an emitter or drywell.It's important to know the amount of water that you will be handling, the type of soil on your property, the slope of the land, and whether you have any storms drains near your property.From your photo, it appears your current system is to route the water from the roof to the gutters to downspouts and then to more downspouts sloped to the front of the lot. 

@Austin French - welcome to BP!

In the 18 months I owned it I've spent $20K on repairs, a new furnace, water heater, french drain, sub pump, wiring and plumbing issues.