This defers capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes on the sale of your fourplex.After converting it into your primary residence, you may qualify for the primary residence capital gains exclusion ($250K single/$500K married), but only for appreciation after the conversion; gains from the rental period remain taxable.

I think new builds don't really work from an ROI standpoint, but if you can find properties that have easy ADU conversions then the value might be there.I'm in MA and we just made ADUs legal by right, so I'm looking into the best ways to add value using them.

Like you, when I'm working with clients I highlight the key advantages of the conventional rehab loans (Fannie Mae's Homestyle and Freddie Mac's CHOICERenovation) are:- They can be used for investment properties- You can include luxury items- They have a higher limit – $806,500 in most places.Jeff

Better to spend $60-80k for a conversion than over 120k.  

When an owner replaces or retires certain items (e.g., lighting, HVAC, or carpeting), they can claim a deduction for the remaining undepreciated value of those items.

In your case, changing the property from a rental to your primary residence constitutes a change in use.The depreciation recapture will be calculated based on the fair market value of the building at the time of conversion, not including the land value.Since you're tearing down the existing structure, the entire amount of depreciation taken over the past two years will likely be recaptured, as the building's value at conversion will effectively be zero.The recaptured amount will be taxed as ordinary income, up to a maximum rate of 25% for residential rental property (Section 1250 property).

I’m new to BP and looking forward to connecting and contributing to the conversation.

Our team has been pounding the pulpit for five years about how favorable our tax brackets are and helping clients conduct moves such as IRA to ROTH IRA conversions in order to take advantage of the current tax deal of our lifetime.

Quote from @Kornelius Friske: We have a STR located in peoria AZ. it's 6 beds (garage conversion) and about 3900 sq ft in total. our energy bill last month was $450 and has been hovering in the $350-$450 range since we went live in august.

@Jacqueline Wright  Every auction is different so the first items to check: do they allow financing if you win the auction?