This means that your accountant can report your exchange as a partial exchange and partial installment sale with proceeds received in 2025.

The additional income from STR could justify the renovation costs, but it requires active management and market awareness.LTR or Break-Even Strategy: Renting long-term might simplify things, but if it only breaks even, you’re right to consider if appreciation is enough motivation to hold.DIY Basement: DIYing the basement could increase STR appeal without the full $50K outlay, especially if extra space attracts more bookings.

If you'd rather be working with your hands, then you sound like someone who is a prime candidate for a DIY rental rehab, for example.

By the time you spend the labor on re-facing, you can often demo, and install new cabinets for about the same amount of money.

Easy to install and quick.

You will likely have cracked drywall and porches will have to be re-installed.

This is not a DIY kinda thing. 

We can't do the inspection until all 3 of those items get installed. 

If my husband and I mostly diy it, it takes us about 6 weeks to do the reno. 

I generally chat with the electricians, plumbers, and flooring installers when they come to work on one of my properties and mention that I am looking for a house to buy.