For example, you may build a house that costs $1 million to build, but once it is finished is immediately valued at $1.3 million, so you created 300k in equity out of thin air which you can use to borrow against.

I run an air BnB out of my home in Southern Vt And I own 2 condos at Mt Snow. 

Air BNB allowed.

In our property, the house was open to the air in the damp environment of coastal Florida, no heat or A/C at the house.  

& different parts of the asset can be depreciated on different schedules.To find out the useful lifespan of each component, you do a cost segregation study to analyze all of the parts.The raw land can't be depreciated so you start by giving that a value first.But other items can be depreciated on a quicker timeline.A roof, road, sidewalk, fencing, walls, gates, doors, latches, flooring, air conditioners, pavers, curbing, landscaping, etc.The IRS has a depreciation schedule for each type.Some parts are 5 yrs.

In which case you are likely better off going to forced air.

We still get these blasts of arctic air when the yet stream is looping south and it gets really cold, but that's a week or two of really cold temps and not a sustained winter.

I am currently using Air bnb, Homeaway and recently used Craigslist in NYC. all the best, James

How can I optimize my situation to be at least break even or, even is short term like air bnbs andvacasas reay good?

Additionally, moisture in the basement with possible fungi growth could mean mold, which can affect air quality and require professional remediation.