I don't want to have to introduce them to a new workflow for submitting maintenance requests (e.g. now log into latchel).

These improvements significantly increased the property’s market value and rental potential, attracting premium short-term rental rates and ensuring high occupancy.

[crawling into my office closet while alternating between sobbing and laughing]  Haha it's actually such a big improvement!

Actively marketing the property and handling tenant relationsCost Segregation: allows you to accelerate depreciation by breaking down the property into different components, such as personal property (appliances, carpeting, etc.) and land improvements (landscaping, parking lots, etc.), which can be depreciated over a shorter period typically 5, 7, or 15 years rather than 27.5.

How do you deduct "improvements" such as a room remodel in the rented unit.

If you're willing to hold the property and make some cash for the next 5 years or so you could see a big profit down the road or just refinance into a much lower rate and improve your cash flow!

I'm thinking of offering $450K (cash and bank loan), make improvements as leases end, and then refi and increase rents as necessary.

These types of improvements increase your house hacking income. 

With things like the ONE Linden plan in Linden, which is a 50M plan to improve the neighborhood.

In addition, the tax savings from the STR loophole and the Cost Segregation Study could help accelerate your paydown of the HELOC and improve your overall cash flow.