Under the rules of Prop. 13, the Office of the County Assessor appraises new construction at fair market value when the improvements are complete, and the value of the new construction is added to the total assessed value of the property."

Make sure you are up to date on Columbus short term rental local rules.

This can allow you to sell an asset, improve your personal balance sheet and/or be in a better position to get conventional financing. 

I also agree that some of the self-improvement/business books can be really motivating.

Will I find a lender to refi with 18% equity left. 2 Don't understand the 2% rule my calculations shows 1.02% and lastly 3.

The escrow company actually direct deposits my money into my checking account.My second property I asked the owner to carry contract for me, I payed the escrow company, we made improvements. 

Meets the 1% rule. 

Saucrr 1) Depends on what the rules are for that particular county.

I also would not have told him you were selling it because if you do deduct things from his security deposit he will complain that, "you were going to improve that, or fix that anyway to get it to sell."

If you are looking for rentals the ARV X 70% rule is not at all meant for rentals.