You'll find some really great tenants, less turnover, and a higher rental rate than an LTR using this strategy.

Given the fact that I’m single and have zero dependents I figured it may make sense to move to the new house for at least a year to get a primary residence mortgage with a lower rate and rent out my existing house as a furnished mid-term rental.My question is around taxes: my current home needs significant repairs and updates (about $20-30k’s worth 😬) before it’s ready to be rented (the pool enclosure went partially down during a storm among other things).

They could be carrying credit card debt at a lower rate than other debt that they want to pay down faster.

If the interest rate on their loan is low enough then the payment might be somewhat less than what you'd pay on a new loan today.

Don't try to be smarter than the city and not pay the license fee else you won't even get through the court doors.

Rent can be increased annually, but expenses also go up (hopefully at a lower rate).

After the interest rate hikes of late. 

I hope the number of homes for sale increases in the next few months along with a slight decrease in Mortgage rates.

What are the HOA fees?

Offer to pay their hourly rate to sit down to answer your questions.