I would then work to renovate the bad unit as quickly as possible.  

Unfortunately, I’ve run into a major issue: I received a Stop Work Notice on my property in Covington, GA, because I didn’t have the proper permits for the renovations.I want to resolve this as quickly and smoothly as possible without jeopardizing the project.Can anyone offer advice or share their experience with:1.How to address the Stop Work Notice with the local authorities?

Would love to chat sometime over the next few weeks if possible. 

The goal is to mitigate the risk as much as possible with finding a good location and solid property.

I learned it was possible to buy investment properties and manage myself from a distance.

There are those who say they will mentor for free and "free" doesn't get you what you are looking for.Does your son have the capacity to pay off the loan entirely with 30 days notice?

So if you paid 3x the price of the previous owner, and lost the homestead exemption due to using it as an investment property, it is entirely feasible for taxes to double or triple.  

Or should I consider the possibility of adding in a small restaurant? 

This deal came along and I have an opportunity to cash flow $3k a month When converted to a fourplex and it has a non attached garage that I could turn into an ADU which would add to the cash flow.im just hoping to get out of the hard money loan and lower my payments and rate if possible so my rents can cover mortgage.I have an air bnb rental that I have a very nice chunk of equity in but won’t be able to sell it til spring.

You can't do anything without their permission and should rebuild it a few inches towards your property so it is entirely on your property and you avoid this problem in the future.If it were me, I would talk with my neighbor, "Hey, what do you think of this fence?"