Average occupancy at time of sale this year was about 50%.

Exterior Deck or PatioAdding an outdoor living space like a deck or patio extends the usable living area and enhances the home's appeal, especially in regions with warm weather.In addition to these improvements, understanding the local real estate market and focusing on upgrades that align with buyer preferences in that area is crucial for maximizing ARV.Noah, thank you for this great feedback.

They will mostly just split their occupancy rates on multiple platforms without getting too much benefits out of it. 

There is no universal right or wrong, it's personal, it should be a strategy that enhances your life not takes away from it.

On the plus side now I will have a recorded Certificate of Occupancy with the city, as this property will be a long term hold for me most likely.

The date you are able to take depreciation is when the property is ready for renting (i.e. advertising for rent or obtaining a certificate of occupancy).

Since you're a citizen but you live and work abroad you'd still qualify mostly for second homes occupancy or investor non owner occupancy (primary is hard to claim if your job requires you to be physically next to the office as an example so an underwriter isnt going to readily believe you unless you can get HR to write you a letter to state you're remotely capable of earning this income/job duties anywhere).Hopefully that helps let me know if you have further questions into mortgage planning.

The renovation aimed to modernize the property, enhance its appeal to potential tenants, and maximize its long-term value.

If you did a full repipe and gutted the entire property then I assume (in all that means) that there were permits pulled and this should have been caught when the inspector did their rough in walk through or atleast the final occupancy inspection. 

These areas might have higher property prices, but they can offer premium rental rates and higher occupancy.