Don't use a realtor yet, and don't put it in the MLS, yet.Start with Craigslist, Redfin and Zillow and see if you can find a buyer before you are finished.

My ideal situation would be finding a house with a finished basement I could live in while renting the top out but even then it’s a stretch which is why I figured one of the prior options was better to start with due to the projected increase in home value.

Now that the reno is finished (spent $6,000 and did the work myself), it's likely that it is worth $140,000 based on comps. 

I'll see what I can contribute to this, however I haven't finished my coffee yet so bear with me!

So we finished our business and went over to the property immediately.

My other plan is to find something in my area in Shirley NY that needs some reno (nothing crazy) that has a finished basement that I could live in while the tenant rents the top that way I could qualify for an FHA loan and use the rest of my cash for renovations.

Does anyone have any recommendations for an insurance company that will insure a finished and updated, yet vacant multi family building (not a remodel under construction)?

I now show up to all of the inspections and get the real information from the inspectors, a lot of the time I could fix things while they were finishing their inspection and was able to pass right away.-3 months to finalize refinancing options: this was a very stressful process that could have been very easy and quick if I understood how the banks went about refinancing and different types of bank's capabilities.

This is similar but different ;-)I am planning on building an addition on my home that would be a great room on the main floor, and ALSO have a finished space in the walk out lower level for an office for both my rental business but MORE so an office/showroom for my 'day job' of construction/remodeling.

Complaints from un finished work, stealing money, showing late to the job, etc. most are from ppl that post their work on FB marketplace.