So your depreciation each year would be 1/27.5 of 3/4 of the improvement only (property value - land value).

If you don't own the property and want to sell it for someone else, that is where you are acting as a real estate agent and would need a license.So, wholesale is where you purchase a property, then resell it quickly for a "slight" mark-up without doing anything to improve the property. 

What funding method besides traditional mortgage makes since when buying a rental that needs improvement but there are no comps and the values haven’t been increasing much.

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.