I have properties in the Buffalo area (a mix of long term and short term) but was looking into Syracuse also, so would be interested to hear the responses.  

If you do place the property in her name, then inherit it later, it does allow for you to receive a step up in basis at that point, allowing you to sell the house shortly after her death without paying capital gains tax.5. 

If it's worth that much, taking a HELOC on it should not be an issue at all long-term or short-term as long as the bank will do it.

When a Class A apartment can be had for the same price as a Class B/C renovated unit, the B/C operator drops prices, and so on.But, in terms of making an investment decision, I think it is short sighted to rely purely on full market average data.  

In neighborhoods that won't attract high credit score tenants, I've found that a stable job history with a MINIMUM of 1 year at current or previous job to be the best indicator of a great tenant. 

Property ClassProperties are categorized by class, impacting their quality, condition, and investment profile:Class A: High-end, newly built, prime locations, attractive to institutional investors.Class B: Good quality, older than Class A, with minor deferred maintenance.Class C: Older properties with dated amenities, but value-add opportunities exist.Class D: Distressed properties in less desirable locations with high risks but potential for significant improvement.4.

Cost of Construction: Since your dad has construction experience and labor connections, the cost of building an ADU would likely be lower than market rates, making it an attractive investment.

Find out what financial problem you are trying to solve in the short term until your able to get to more "long term" problems that real estate helps with 

As another poster mentioned rates are lower than they've been in the previous 18+ months but unless some very surprising economic data comes out between now and when you did your refi it seems unlikely that rates are going up in the short term and there is at least a decent chance that rates drop a little more before then. 

I have had a rental property for a short period here in CT and have sold it in 2017.