Since it is not zoned properly, every lender I talked to said underwriting would not approve the loan.

Only exception is "blood or flood" emergencies (everything is an emergency to a tenant).3) whatever your tax professional recommends.4) Any way but NOT picking rent up or accepting cash - unless tenant direct deposits to your bank account.5) You'll want to improve your lease over time as you deal with tenant issues.

I have done so for a few of my properties and its amazing how much it improves the look.

This belief led me to pursue a career in kitchen remodeling, and I am proud to run Evolution Home Improvement LLC, a business dedicated to transforming kitchens into beautiful, functional spaces across New Jersey.Over the years, I have seen firsthand how a well-designed kitchen can enhance the value and appeal of a property.

I have done research into this loan and it seems like a good loan for me even though it seems like these loans typically have higher interest rates than a conventional loan.

I can definitely say that while the bigger fire we had was a pain... it actually worked out really well... in the end we had a much improved property, and we stepped in and did as much of the work we could do ourselves that the insurance company was compensating us at  'retail' rates for... like painting, and replacing cabinets, and other simple tasks.  

I recommend you talk to a lender and get real clear on what you can qualify for, what you can do to improve your borrowing position, and make sure you have your finances under control.

You should be able to get a 75% loan against your current property.  

I pulled this off but with an FHA 203k loan which allows you to wrap the cost of renovations into the loan. 

BTW yes you ARE in the biz to spend and make improvements.