The room it was in however had 12" thick concrete walls, and ceiling and was on a 2' thick concrete slab.

I don't want to commute 3 hours just to "absorb" or "get the feel" of the scene without something concrete I am there to learn more about.

You want to be sure you are legally compliant here and are doing everything by the book. 

@Ada Tor Running a VRBO / Airbnb is considered a commercial business.

id=1IaAr5B1WeT...Cleanup Job (Low cost fast flip): landscape package in front remove deckremove vines from house clean exterior, fix siding and wood rot, paint neutral beige/gray color clean driveway/weed, clean retaining wall/pavement replace flooring with mid grade flooring bottom level, carpet upstairs replace interior fixtures paint interior white trim, light color beige/gray walls, popcorn ceiling removal new kitchen appliancesRehab options: Replace deck with new one (kind of awkward that high to me) vs Remove and fill in wall or add large window to master.Potential space to move laundry into upstairs bathroom closet vs basement Can maybe get away with toilet/vanity replacement in each bathroomUncertain if painting or replacing cabinets with ikea type is worth itAny in-ceiling lighting will open up codes stuff with electrical since it is out of dateRepave/fix concrete front porch and side porch - replace/paint railingReplace front walkway cement, or remove walkway and replace with right angled walk to driveway (may not provide ROI)Tear down vs paint garage port in back yardWhich do you think provides highest ROI? 

I think to achieve the best results when working with a contractor would be to establish a THOROUGH scope of work, concrete timeline and contract value.

If not, I'll need to trench all the way from the electric panel in front yard which is going to cost a lot, since there's concrete paving all through.

The driveway has settled 6 inches and the back patio (10x10ft of concrete) is completely destroyed (split into 4 pieces) from settling.

One structure sits on a pier and beam foundation, the other sits on a concrete slab.

Pay the tax and hope for offset losses or huge gains on the index fund.If you're just tired of being a landlord and owning fixed asset real estate there are passive options that might work for you and are 1031 compliant so they would shelter the tax.