You could try ozone treatment first.

Lenders are still unfortunately tend to be very conservative on the rent-by-room (SRO) type arrangements still - its an area that really could use some better understanding out there but just be careful with expectations because a lot of the treatment of these properties (even if nothing like a old-fashioned "boarding house") can be tough

Ask your accountant to read Regs 1.469 and CCA Memo 202151005.You can have Nonpassive Schedule Es under certain circumstances but it appears he is listing it as passive, therefore creating suspended losses.Here is a previous thread: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/530/topics/1056436-clearing-up-confusion-on-tax-treatment-of-short-term-rentals

If you're willing to bend your timeline a little to give yourself the best shot at qualifying for 1031 exchanges and being super tax efficient with your properties, you could try doing the following: - Hold each successive property for at least 12 months before selling - make sure that you acquire property in one tax year and then don't sell that same property until the following tax yearI want to stress that you do not automatically lose out on 1031 treatment by not taking these steps, and similarly you don't automatically qualify for 1031 treatment by simply taking these steps. 

If you are repairing your own property that is an increase in the basis of the property, which will result in better tax treatment when you sell.

And inventory does not qualify for 1031 treatment. 

Here are a few incentives as noted by the IRS:168(k) - Special Allowance for Certain Property (Bonus Depreciation)179 - Election to Expense Certain Depreciable Business Assets Other incentives included in the tax code, however, may reduce the need for a taxpayer to perform a cost segregation study because they give preferential treatment for certain qualifying 1250 property such as 168(e)(6) - Qualified Improvement PropertyHave you utilized either of these incentives as part of your cost segregation study?

Your passion for creating functional yet visually stunning spaces is evident, and I'm thrilled to have someone with your expertise joining the real estate scene.

What you can deduct are things like wiring, plumbing, window treatments, cabinets, windows, etc.

Yes, it's hard and there's pain and sometimes treatment required.