I also will invest that little bit of extra cash in improving the property since it does need some updating.

. - I have a business background in Supply Chain and Human Resources - where I would build and continuously improve systems to support profitable/strategic operations, as well as coaching teams/culture/people to success.Seeking any and all advice - Thank you in advance!

My plan is to live here, make some improvements, for the next two years or so until I finish my dissertation and graduate from PhD, then sell the place as I move to somewhere else after graduation. 

If you have a plan on where to invest it to get a better return then go for it.If not then look at ways to improve cash flow such as sub metering the electric, water and gas and arguing your property taxes down with the assessor's office (the tax assessment dispute typically takes place once or twice a year depending on the city). 

I remodeled the unfinished areas of the house and improved the landscape.

In general, many residents are OK with lot rent being raised as long as the costs are justified and they can physically see where the money is going with the types of upgrades and improvements made to the park.

My father also uses it for his home improvement company for years.

With that said, beyond people stumbling upon your VRBO/Airbnb listing, driving traffic to your page is tough and something I will be working to improve. 

You don't have to approve all maintenance requests, especially requests that improve the property beyond condition when rented. 

This shows the value of having title insurance, but as I also have posted in the past, unless you get a policy for the value of your purchase price plus the value of the improvements you plan on making, you'll be self insured for the latter if the fraud comes to light after you've started the rehab.Fraudsters target property owners in historic Black neighborhoods in South Florida (local10.com)