I realize I will have to pay tax on that $100,000 but would pay tax on that at some point anyway.I am no finance expert and honestly just trying to get feeback. 

Sellers will never be 100% honest with you.

I wanted to start out with a duplex and house hack but buying a duplex requires me to have more money down and I honestly just want to start and throw myself into it. ( any thoughts) I am currently loan shopping & I qualified for FHA.

Honestly, I don't care, I'm stoked about this.

And I honestly don’t think it would increase by that much.But why not just ask the Providence tax assessor directly though?

Interesting to hear all of the viewpoints.

@Paul Wagner I have honestly never done it but I’ve been looking to get into property management.

Honestly I think you have spent more time posting on this forum than the whole issue is worth.I would hop on facebook market place and find a $100 window unit and go put it in the window of the unit.Its only a 500 sf studio so most 110 ac window units will cool the place.I would then pull the breaker to the a/c unit that is installed in the closet so they can not use it at all.You promised them working air when they rented the unit.

The mere fact that you are likely to find an honest one, is probably comparable to hitting it big at a casino.

Not entirely sure what my exit plan would be to be honest.