Would it make more sense to live in old side and work on it while living there and still make rent on other side while losing out on being able to claim expenses as tax deductible or live in updated side and loose out on rent for about 4-6month(1300/month) but be able to claim all expenses as tax deductible.

In addition, I live with my parents so even househacking will still cost me over $400 a month, which is what I pay to stay with my parents. 

You also get mortgage pay down and tax benefits.Beyond that, you're not seeing the long term.

With the current market, I will not be able to make my required cash flow after paying all operating cost including mortgage, vacancy, property tax, insurances, maintenance cost, no need for a property manager because I can manage it.

Ensure you understand property laws, taxes, and local regulations.

All,Based on your experience, would you say, that the real estate tax for a vacant land should be correlated with its usable part? 

I was thinking it may be closer to a "wash" or, maybe only slightly more only bc w/ a duplex at least we aren't paying for two exterior wall materials for two sfh?

I require all new tenants to use it, but I have a few that use other methods due to them being tenants when I acquired the properties.Background and credit checks are easy to send to an applicant - they pay 55.00 and I get the reports quickly. 

Do you pay closing costs to them? 

Taxes low at $2839.