The question I don't have an answer for is does an art studio count as a residential unit?

Comps are an art not a science as I am told! 

@Art Maydan - the lending/underwriting process can be very frustrating.  

I feel that, with a background in art, carpentry, and style and design, I am in a perfect position to begin a career as a home flipper.

As we all know, REI is an art which is different in every location.Let's pick a similar property from Zillow in Las Cruces and provide a basic analysis hoping that our friends from Las Cruces help us with our analysis:1009 Elm St.

I hold a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts and currently own the property that I live in.

It is virtual which is very nice.  

I see cheap Cleveland properties marketed to out of town investors virtually every day that are basically ripoffs.

Personally I love the art of the deal and transacting.In commercial leasing agents specialize so first mention the asset class, then deal size.Hope it helps some.    

@Erie Springer GE is totally gone and the Berkshires, especially central and northern, are trying with some initial successes to reinvent themselves as a haven for arts and hi-tech.