Most areas have never updated their zoning bylaws to allow solar to be a primary use.

Capital gains are calculated as:Sale Price - (Original Purchase Price + Capital Improvements + Selling Costs) - depreciation (if applicable) = Capital GainYour mortgage or HELOC balance does not affect this calculation—it only determines how much cash you take home after the sale.In Massachusetts, if the home was your primary residence for at least 2 out of the last 5 years, you may qualify for the Section 121 Exclusion, allowing you to exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) of the gain from federal capital gains tax.

Talk to the seller, but options are to cancel the sale (and risk losing your deposit), renegotiate to lower the price to allow you to fix the problems or ask them to fix it. 

That's the first place to start.I can tell you what to invest in and where - but you won't listen unless you really understand this business first.

They won’tfinance you, since bankruptcy laws allow you to keep your Residence.H.

If you can get a single family home and have roommates, that's the most approachable strategy and will really allow you to know rather quickly if you hate managing rentals or not.Here's my experience starting at 22, and what I regretted from house hacking: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/922/topics/1133476-hous... 

It allows potential tenants the flexibility to explore a property at their own pace while still having the expertise and guidance of a realtor at their disposal.That said, I’m curious about your thoughts on this approach.

I’m allowed to help someone out if I want to do so. 

I'd love to start hosting asap and I wouldn't allow the guests access to the kitchen (though of course they'd have access to their rented rooms, bathroom etc.).

I also allowed the fear of others to take me away from my long term goals.