With the Duplex now, my understanding is I file as though the rental half is a separate property and cut all expenses in half as a write off to my rental income (property tax, insurance, maintenance, improvements, etc...nothing was done specifically to either unit it was full home external work like garage and railing repairs, painting) as well as depreciating the half of the duplex that is a rental after calculating basis.It all seems very straightforward to me but I know I'd be naive not to have a second set of eyes with a professional given my lack of experience.

I have owned income property in Texas and Arizona. 

Reason being, while it still will be unlikely to cash flow (using a VA loan in a highly priced market like Austin), you will likely be able to live in it, and generate rental income from the tenant.The beauty of this is that not only will you be able to build up equity in the home (eventually being able to cashflow), but you will be able to live in the house for a much lower cost than you would if you were to rent an apartment or buy a single-family home.

The is a work at home scam where they say you can work and make a income wholesaling. 

My income is over 150k so I’m not sure if claiming her as a RE professional will help us in the future.

DSCR also does not look at your income i.e. taxes, W-2, paystubs, etc but rather will look at the potential cashflow of the property. 

What I would encourage you to do is to compare how much cash you currently have invested out of pocket in the deal and also calculate what the cash flow is for that property.Cash flow is the income (rent) minus all expenses: mortgage payment (including principal, interest, taxes and insurance), average maintenance costs, capital expenses (new roof, hvac, water heater.

Looking to refi based on the value after rehab based on rental income/cashflow (expecting it to be around $200-210k value) Aiming for $150k loan for paying off current mortgage and covering remodel/rehab costs on my propertyIs this doable without a significant down payment?

Plus taxes and insurance of $20000+ X 10 years= $200000You will need a $1,010,000 loan at 77% loan to value of $1,300,000 to pay them in full.You will need a FICO of 720 and $27000 monthly income assuming you don't have credit cards or car loans... assuming Jumbo loans are qualified similar to how it works today.

Buying a SFH to live in with no generation of rental income is NOT an investment but a lifestyle choice.