If you are purchasing a new house and renting out your old house you should be able to consider the rental income, or at least a portion of it, as part of our DTI.

I don't know that I would - or perhaps a portion.

Evaluate locations based on the ten years preceding the COVID times compared to the current inflation rate (>5%).Population Size - Greater than 1 million.

@Pete Perez just a heads up I believe you would pay capital gains tax on the portion of the duplex you did not occupy.

We're at least responsible for the deals and funding portion.

Everyone has a different goals and investment criteria, so this is not a one size fit all kind of situation.I will suggest that you clearly define what you want and do some research then go from there.

Minisplit is perfectly acceptable in spaces that size. 

Or will you do a portion each year? 

@Theresa HarrisYes, we did constantly tell them we believed that was the law and because of the pandemic and lifting of the moratorium (we have a had a ton of turn over this year, but we are fortunate because the last three years we had all 16 units occupied by same people) they could not find a place that was suitable for their size.

I personally used a Heloc for my portion How did you add value to the deal?