I could not see an obvious benefit to House hacking this property as opposed to renting both units out?

You have more potential to gain equity through appreciation with multiple homes than one commercial property.

I really enjoy the podcasts and I hope to gain more knowledge from experienced investors here on this platform. 

The BiggerPockets podcast and resources, including books by J Scott, are excellent tools to learn from seasoned investors and gain valuable insights.Utilize BiggerPockets Resources: Make use of the podcast, articles, webinars, forums, and other resources available on BiggerPockets.

Also banked on its appreciation over time and leveraged the equity gains on subsequent deals.

I did a high level comparison where we differed in our underwriting and here are the results:1) Rents: They projected over $300/unit rental gains, whereas we projected $140.

I'm here to absorb knowledge, gain insights, and collaborate with like-minded individuals.I believe Virginia's dynamic real estate landscape presents endless possibilities for growth and prosperity.

Therefore, there is no real tax benefit to having an LLC.You may also want to have a discussion with your attorney on the real level of protection you would receive from this strategy in your state. 

This lot has a shop type building on it that is very overgrown with brush and vines, so much that’s it difficult to gain access to the building.

Thank you for reading and I look forward to interacting with you all to gain more knowledge about this fascinating world of real estate investing!