I am definitely no attorney maybe @Bob Floss II can add additional thoughts.Is this property in cook county / Chicago or in the suburbs?

Treat it like a business from day one, if you were to open a restaurant would you be the cook, server, greeter, janitor? 

I'm ready to finish out my programming so that I can have better ways to analyze things.

Then I got strapped for time due to having a 2nd child and let a family move in with the agreement that the dad would finish the trim and any small items that were left.

Heading to Cook County Tax Lien Sale next month, it will be my first in person auction. 

In the future I don’t know if I’m going to sell this house after I finish rehabbing the kitchen or if I’m going to keep it as a rental property.

You’ll want a lender with experience in this type of loan as I understand it can be a little tricky but if you’re willing to put in the work then the payoff could be worth it for you in the equity you’ll have after you finish your repairs and get the other side rented out.

I'm a NJ native finishing up grad school before moving to Miami for work this upcoming summer.

Installed barn doors and finished basement completely with framing and drywall, installed recess lighting and baseboard around the floor.

@Dwight Cook if the property is producing income it may actually be easier.