Renovations/repairs before/ after in service may need to be split Renovations that impact the entire building need to be split between business and your personal residence if you have a dedicated home office IN your personal residence that's another allocation for business use. 

Next, what underwriting criteria do we need to watch out (or plan) for, or have the largest impact on a re-fi of this nature?

I do agree that Kiyosaki’s books may not have any impact on people who are financially savvy.

Just curious how Covid has impacted prices.Lead times for work have exploded but prices haven't gone up at the same rate.In CincinnatiGeneral labor is probably 40-50/hrPlumbing is 125 And electricians can charge 200+/hrThis represents the cost of everything except materials.

Imagine the impact that would have.

Also, have any of you seen negative impacts on your house/rental when a major employer has a large lay off in the area?

Where the jobs are compared to the rail termini and stations will determine the perceived value of rail transit and, thus, rail's impact on property values.Dunno if this helps...

While I admire your desire to be green, I always warn all my clients about the negative impact that solar panels can have on ones home values.  

My only reason for wanting a short sale is that I just don't want to own this home anymore, and am willing to take the loss (i'm upside down on a condo by roughly $26.5k.The two main things that I'm wondering are- will the bank even allow a short sale in this 'no hardship' condition, and if so- can I do it without any negative impact to my credit whatsoever (credit is good now and we're looking to get a larger place for a growing family).

I feel more each day that the big banks and businesses ARE the gov't, but at least it's a small step that ordinary people can take to feel better about their actions and perhaps have a real impact that reaches farther than their individual ballot might...