So deciding which homes are "better" is something of a complex formula.So I recommend South Side and Friendship based on modern patterns of urban renewal along with some attributes of solid building stock that would offer value to an investor.

Contractors tend to make spaces too small and non functional to increase profit and or lack design knowledge.I would build modern style...

You cannot compensate yourself from the IRA income (other than by taking taxable distributions from the IRA) and you cannot combine IRA and personal funds.There are two types of self-directed IRA plans, those held by a 3rd party custodian who will do all of the transaction processing, or plans that provide checkbook control so you can directly administer investments.  

Ultimately all the properties net together for tax purposes, one might make money, one might lose money but they all get combined to the same line on the Sch E ultimately to move to the front of the return.

4 pieces of land without combining them are worth 1.2 million each.

As an example, let’s combine “The 2% Rule” with “The 50% Rule”.

<div><a href='http://www.houzz.com/photos/1906139/penthouse-THE-HOUSE-Dallas-modern-bathroom-dallas'><img src='http://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/c331fa660096e07b_3-2178/modern-bathroom.jpg' border=0 width='320' height='210' /></a></div><div style='color:#444;'><small><a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href='http://www.houzz.com/photos/modern/bathroom' >Modern Bathroom</a> by <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href='http://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build/c/Dallas--TX' >Dallas Design-Build Firms</a> <a style='text-decoration:none;color:#444;' href='http://www.houzz.com/pro/moredesignbuild/more-design-build' >MORE design+build</a></small></div>

Combined they sell hundreds of these a year.  

If it's the former, since it's much harder to go the other way from single to multi, is there a reason you really need to combine the utilities and not simply pay both the bills, hedging the possibility of splitting them again.

Dominic combines his experience in Real Estate and Construction along with his comprehensive knowledge of the Pioneer Valley Market to offer Buyers and Sellers options and insight for their Residential and Commercial needs.