Would he be able to hold off on depreciating the property (with improvements) until all the costs that are to get the property ready for its intended use are complete? 

YouTube University is where it's at!!

I prepare to stay for 2 years, while adding value, for tax free gains...and I like improving houses. 

Calif Civil Code 1954 states "Landlord my enter dwelling to make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements..." 

One word of caution: value-add and forced appreciation really only apply to property 5-units+ that are valued based on the income approach. 3 unit deals generally don't benefit from this.That said, I'm sure the value of the property will indeed increase due to your improvements.

I wonder how many people have a budget for training/self improvement.

I am very curious as to the must have or 'should do' rehab to either increase value in my home to possibly start using the BRRRR method or for basic tenant improvements.

I am very curious as to the must have or 'should do' rehab to either increase value in my home to possibly start using the BRRRR method or for basic tenant improvements.

Inform the non-selling co-owner of  the cost of repairs that are demonstrably necessary to maintain (not to improve -but just to maintain the existing structures or to bring it up to code to the extent that you need a permit).   3. 

If they don't, they're not paying enough attention to the metrics that help them improve performance, which is a bad sign.I know I mentioned this before, and some folks will disagree with me on this, but I advise most investors (and new ones especially) to stick to B/B+ properties and areas.