One way to get tax benefits while you're living there could be installing solar panels or upgrading the energy efficiency of the home. 

I just had a vacancy come up in the middle of a fourplex escrow and the seller had the unit re-rented in under a week for $50/more per month. 6) Yes it's hot, but with individual metering the landlord doesn't foot the electric bill 7) Yes the market is competitive here, but mostly for 3/4 unit properties.

It's understandable that unexpected things arise sometimes, especially when you're opening up walls or dealing with older electric or plumbing.

Hi BP, i’m curious if anyone has moved an electrical meter without upgrading service. i recently upgraded a meter and was forced to move it to a new location however now i can’t pass inspection because the service enters the building before the meter (only good route to get to new meter was indoors) i really want to avoid a new electrical drophas anyone found a way to enter the building before metering?

The entire project took around 3 months with EVERY square in minus the electrical( some added) being gutted and renewed.

For sure PG&E requires this for gas and electric, and I think most jurisdictions require it for water and sewer as well. 

Also consider short term month-month leases on airbnb, renting individual rooms, month to month leases, just to get the cashflow energy flowing again.  

Quote from @Deandre Brown: When analyzing deals, a few additional factors I like to consider are whether the electric and gas utilities are charged per unit or as a single expense.

Can you replace furnace, stove, etc with all electric and save 300 to 400 a month there? 

So i told him, AWESOME, that makes the answer so simple, DONT SELL, it's just that simple, selling is not an option, so, all energies too leasing it.