I live in Lawrenceville, GA and am beginning my first house hack, working to purchase another property by the end of the year. 

I don't know your living situation but if your paying x,xxx for rent or a mortgage and instead by living in one side and renting out the other you will be paying y,yyy instead and y is less then x that's great, especially if you can rent out your primary residence and make income there too. 

Is this a home that you are currently living in?

This isnt the place to nickel and dime at the expense of quality.

Additionally, I am beginning to believe you don't live there to be the "house monitor" as this seems to be going on for a time period. 

Mortgages for LLCs with personal credit under 680 are tough and expensive, and under 640 are typically not really economically practical for the borrower. 

I have about 8K to start investing, which I know is not a lot, but with 3 kids living in SoCal, we are already pinching pennies. 

I would highly recommend finding a lender that does 10% of purchase price down because it will ultimately be less expensive for you.

The lighting is a little dark in the picture but this will be a lovely/bright kitchen and living room for our next resident.

Lowering your standards invites expensive evictions and repairs.