You are prohibited from personally using property owned by your IRA.Above are just few considerations which can help you make a decision. 

You could wait 10 months for the short sale approval and if values have risen 8% during that time, you're likely going to pay considerably more for the home than initially agreed upon, if you still qualify..  

Dallas County and Collin County, but our basis is considerably lower than prices now.

That’s on top of the 4,270 units that were introduced in 2017.DURING JUNE, THE AVERAGE RENTAL PRICE IN MANHATTAN INCREASED BY 1.15%, FROM $3,944.35 TO $3,989.64.

Their parents bought a 4 family house in Ridgewood in the early 90s and its value has increased tremendously.

As more info comes out the cities will be interested in increasing awareness of these investment opportunities.

I plan to improve and stabilize it, increase rents, get some cash flow, then sell for a little profit in a year or so if the market supports it

I wouldn't add a driveway just for refi or even to sell.I am not sure the cost will justify the increase in valuation and I am pretty sure you won't getter significantly higher rent because of driveway.

Then you can advertise and get a lease lined up for when you move.Two considerations: 1) If you want to refinance and get out of your personal name the local bank will probably want to see some seasoning on the lease which you may not have on the side that you living since you are leasing and running.

In order to avoid the low participation rate, I've a.) suggested that by completing the survey, the tenants could win up to $100 - the amount is a function of the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of their answers and b.) issue the survey with 3-6 months left on the year-long lease so that I can take the feedback into consideration and assess repairs and improvements that may help retain my top quality tenants and reduce vacancy.