I'm a Realtor with a couple properties listed in Boise, ID and a neighboring town for my investor/client that are currently rented as co-living or rent-by-the-room and getting killer income. (7.3% - 9.5% Cap rate) So far, every inquiry has been baffled by the concept of co-living or rent-by-the-room and immediately ask if they're being run as a halfway-house (which they are not).

I plan on living in one side and renting the other side out. 

My airbnb posting just went live yesterday. 

Ask for Merry, the Executive Assistant.

You want to focus on areas where you have a competitive advantage (you have lived there or you have family and friends there) and then compare those areas against widespread list of great areas to invest.Good luck!

Let me know if I can be of assistance. 

Do you feel like it has enhanced the productivity of your assistants to a magnitude that's worth the cost?

I tried to work with the tenant but they have stopped responding and refuse to pay rent anymore, I don't even know who lives in the unit anymore.

Very commonly the resident pays a portion of the rent so your rent increase will affect their budget and their lives. 

Like the others mentioned, either 3.5% down if you intend to live in it.