Hi Mark and Wife ( I didn't catch your name on your profile),Since you're interested in renting out both spaces long term and living in one of them short term, I would suggest going with a medium grade and quality material, with the lowest maintenance possible.  

I am also looking for an experienced GC that would like to partner up on flips providing labor and materials while I find the deal, finance the purchase, will help in the PM, and will handle the marketing in this 50/50 relationship that I want to continue in more projects all over the bay/sac/central valley.

Make sure you go through the education materials available to you.

Frank Romine Any reading material/advice on managing rentals/landlording from afar?

Any suggestions or any material I can read.

They have great downloadable training materials and be sure to signup for the initial webinar if you sign on.

What cosmetic materials would y'all recommend on adding to a flip to generate more profit while saving money? 

Get folks lined up to do the work and get the materials chosen. 

So while all your friends are blowing cash on material things, you stay home, save money and read.someone else said to work on your credit rating, and that's also really valuable. 

This means that in order for a repair to be deducted currently rather than capitalized and depreciated, the repair must not be material to the system as a whole.