That doesn't even factor in the income tax savings for mortgage interest deduction for both state and federal. 2) Rents increase at the whim of your landlord versus a fixed mortgage payment.  3) Appreciation for owner occupied is tax exempt up to 500k in for a married couple.4) I can make smart modifications to the home as I see fit to cater to my family's needs or create value. 

I have a buddy that has one with a well and it sounds like the EPA is driving him nuts so I'd kind of like to avoid that. we were able to fix the well issue.. but septic system was old and bad and new rules necessitated 250k to redo the whole system up to modern code..  30 miles out of INdy.

I worked as maintenance for awhile and I love doing home modifications stuff such as flooring, plumbing sometimes and I enjoying it.I started educating myself for RE for almost 2 years.

if so, then you are exempt.despite your modifications, it sounds like your townhouse is still classified as one unit for tax purposes, so this would classify as a house hacking situation, which is exempt.

I could hire out structural modifications to add needed egress windows and strengthen the shear walls and rough in the breaker panel,  then frame the place myself, pay somebody to drywall it,  then install the kitchen and bath stuff and probably have a unit ready to go for someplace around $50K.   

We are not all straight commercial, which I would agree is riskier and could necessitate a higher rate.

Modification is in the best interest for lenders for this region. 

-----------------------------------------------Of course it does, which is why the decision to lock down is a political decision informed and necessitated by science (health) considerations.

The fed is going to step in and allow mortgage modifications sometime in late 2021.  

But that does not let me apply modifications.