Highlight nearby conveniences and any neighborhood growth to attract interest.Focus on framing the size as a bonus that buyers get more space and value for their money compared to smaller homes.

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WAS INTERESTED IN THIS PROPERTY WAS I LITERALLY GREW UP AROUND THIS PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD SO IT WAS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR ME BESIDE IT BEING A GREAT DEAL I WAS VERY FAMILIAR AND COMFORTABLE WITH THE AREA !.

Most neighborhoods you will be fine in.

Would appreciate referrals as well as any general insights about the market, neighborhoods, etc.  

It's a small place so I'd guess it won't rent for enough to cover your expenses anyway so I'd probably sell, especially if the loss is small, it unless it's in a great neighborhood that you think will do well over time. 

My goal is to build a data-driven tool that provides actionable insights into which neighborhoods and property types are in the highest demand, based on metrics like:Time on market: How quickly rentals are being leased.Property characteristics: Bedrooms, bathrooms, size, and amenities.Pricing trends: Rental rates relative to market demand and property features.Visual quality: Leveraging property photos to analyze the style and condition of rentals that perform well.The tool will allow users to:Pinpoint areas with the fastest rental turnovers.Understand what types of properties (size, price range, features) rent the quickest.Gain deeper insights into property presentation and amenities that correlate with high demand.Thank you in advance for your feedback.

While I haven't remodeled the main house, it's situated in a highly desirable neighborhood.

to your point, if you save up so that you're in a strong financial position, house hack a solid duplex in a decent neighborhood, make smart decisions, and hold it indefinitely, you'll be fine.conversely, if you have $0 and somehow start out with a risky flip, or borrow $20K and spend it all on a magic mentoring program, or buy a terrible property in a neighborhood you've never been to, you may not be fine.

If that's the case, I’d suggest looking into A/B-class neighborhoods.

The easiest spot would probably be the dining room and change the office to more of a smaller dining area.