Is the old fashioned way still a reasonable route?

I am thinking about removing both tenants asap and trying to get the smoke smell out but removing all carpet, whipping down down every surface, getting ducts cleaned and running an o-zone machine if needed.

Not necessarily proportionally, but at least up in a semi-quasi-relative fashion AKA inflation. 

I was given the terms qualifying and disqualifying and wasn't real clear on the distinction aside from your family/friends couldn't live there.With that being said, I would have to do this property the "old fashion" way and be subjected to paying taxes.

This process can take a little time.. some negotiations.... sometimes money (to be paid When it closes preferably)  and just good ol' fashion sorting out what all the issues are and figuring out what it will take to make them go away so you can buy/sell the house. good luck, happy to help if you want more details.

This structure basically is mirrored in the series LLC.This is the "old fashioned" way here in Utah as we've mostly moved to the series LLC :)Jeff

All that being said, ultimately if your contractor isn't getting paid in a timely fashion they could file a lien against the house to protect their rights for payment, so it could affect you at the end of the day.

The way to fix this would be to use a brick or masonry chipper or channeler and cut into the surface behind the furring strips to run the wire and daisy chain it.3.

According to the city, the duplexes are only grandfathered in and should they be not used for a year in the grandfathered fashion (as duplexes), the grandfathering will disappear. 

I'm barely scratching the surface, but just a few thoughts.