Trying to get a split level (not a lot of sqft) on the market in the next three weeks and trying to decide on whether to open the wall between the dining and living room for a feel of openness or leave it as I have heard from two interior designers that the open concept is on the way out as we are more at home and liking our separate areas in the home.Pragmatically speaking the opening of the wall will be mostly a time drain with it being a load bearing wall and having to support the ceiling while rebuilding and all the drywalling necessary.

@Joe Frank I’m a huge fan of Turbo Tenant to market properties, manage leads, screen tenants and lease up.

Do you have a team built in any other markets?

Purchase price: $175,000 Cash invested: $35,000Buyout property that needed significant upgrades to bring to rental market in 2022.

It sounds like your current property manager may not be marketing the rental effectively, and the fact that it's listed incorrectly as an apartment instead of a duplex could be turning off potential renters.

In fact, just finished one that I have yet to put on the market. 

One unit was rehabbed with $15,000 and a new leaseadded at market rent.

Here’s our OPINION for the Metro Detroit market (use as a template for your target area!)

Also, we're not getting anywhere near market rent for the home since its only half the home being rented, however we do feel that we're getting what similar efficiencies are getting in the neighborhood.   

Just be sure to account for the upfront costs, ongoing maintenance, and market demand to make sure the numbers work for you.Good luck with your decision, and feel free to share updates as you move forward!