Double check on permits if the previous owners has done a remodel.Do not rely on agents representation.Do not work with a dual agency as a buyer, the agents first commitment is to the sellers.Allow at least a year of seasoning before determining the profits of an investment.Happy to share.

I'm no appraiser but have plenty of fix and flips as well as new construction but IMO, it will be existing home. 

What type of interview do you do with existing tenant(s) to ask them about maintenance issues?

Set the second thermostat to whatever you consider the minimum temp to be - I would use 55º - and electrically parallel the existing and the hidden thermostat.

If you're allowed to object and you're still within your objection period, you may want to review your title commitment for objectionable matters that may give you a right to terminate without penalty.

OTA business doesn't exist without the hosts and screwing hosts will be the last thing they would do.

Looking for guidance on options. new builds aren't hard to finance and I would argue they are preferred to existing fix and flip loans, especially if you have experience. banks look at your experience, your builder's experience, loan structure, permits, etc you need to get an experienced builder familiar with advanced underwriting and negotiations with local, regional, and national lenders. in columbus we do ground up construction for clients at a 20% discount so they can BRRRR out of the new build with equity and we have pages and pages of data on what we build and why and it's all supported by market statistics. 

But the stigma behind crime still exists, like any city, so it's important to screen tenants.

Can your existing box support the addition?

Ask for a "Pre-Underwrite" this is where the bank underwrites the file and give you a "Loan Commitment" instead of a generic "Pre-approval" letter.