@Karl Dunlaphouse hack, live-in flip, or standard long term rental with minor cosmetics or value add

Yes, that is the original house hacking strategy, but it really only works well if you've built up enough equity over the time you lived in the first one to depart and end up no money in when you refi.

To do it, you'd have to live like a pauper for several years.

I lived in GA myself for many years, great market to invest in around ATL. 

So basically would I be able to live in one side and rent the other side in a duplex . 

Even though they were no longer my tenant every time the update the bankruptcy I would get notice from bankruptcy court that my tenant still have the right to stay in the unit as continuance kept happing even though they had not live there any more for months.

There are also frequently multiple homes on the same lot or that offer dual living potential. 

I would extend out the inspection contingency to cover the basement estimate. 

If you have a genuine answer for that I am curious to hear. this^^^ if you buy a property you are happy in and can comfortably afford thats fantasic, if it happens to be a good investment as well even better, if you buy an investment property to live in and you don't like living there & the investment goes south, both strong possiblities in baltimore multi family and you've exhausted your life saving's you are triple screwed.

With seller contribution to your closing costs and a downpayment assistance program, you can purchase a home to live in with low out of pocket costs.