If you want to enjoy it for awhile before renting be sure it won't be a "knock out" factor for potential renters.Look for ways to "harden" the property from wear and tear. 

Although there are many issues and questions for you to knock out, the underlying question is to build or buy.Building or developing, you have two profit streams. 

We were in a similar situation to you in 2020 when we were looking more for what we wanted vs. necessarily a knockout deal.

On my new builds in Oregon that are in high demand.. buyers commish is going to be negotiated per deal.. for instance my last lot that will allow a knock out single level I am NOT offering any commission to the buyers agent I have a buyer for it.. their agent is going to list and sell their current home which is a 1.5.. and they will have to negotiate their fee with their buyer on my houses which is 850k..

There are some sub 75k deals out there that would make great buy, repair, rent and hold properties but I'd prefer to be able to preserve my own capital as much as possible to knock out quite a few deals this year and in the next several years. 

Knock out the smell and disinfect at one time. http://www.unionspringspro.com/vital-oxide/Good luck with it.

Once you do, that experienced person will likely help you knock out a lot of the other questions you asked. 

With that being said, I dont think it hurts to knock out some leasing for fast cash but let it steer you away from your long-term goals and staying on the path will get you there the fastest.Good luck!!

I repair them myself (I knock out the cardboard stiles and replace them with solid pine) but the ones right out of the store are pure junk.

Back 20 years ago doing new construction we could knock out 3 connections a day .