Are potential buyers/investors struggling to build savings because of spending habits like this?

I gave it a few days as my client said he was busy traveling and was examining another quote from a different lender.

Keeping the tenant 2–3 months can work if you lock it in writing: interim rent amount, access rights for inspections/contractor walks, clear move-out date, and a rent‑back or temporary occupancy agreement with a deposit; expect slower permits and subs over holidays, and don’t start demo until you have vacant possession to avoid habitability issues.

Cut low‑value habits by replacing them with a cue routine reward stack, and measure progress by actions, not feelings offers sent, PMs interviewed, deals scanned.

You need to be within a limit that are safe and habitable. 

The building is very close to a large hospital which makes me think it may be a good candidate for MTR marketed to travel nurses, or family of hospital guests.

Mid-term rental demand is also found with traveling nurses, professors, business, and insurance stays and helps in the off-peak season.We partner with a statewide short-term rental property management company that also fills in the gaps in stays with mid-term rentals with dynamic pricing for those stays and events.To Your Success!

Meanwhile, an anti-travel sentiment is soaking in.

If it's out of state, I am leaning more towards turnkey because I don't want to have to travel there constantly. 

Your idea can work, but only if you treat the downstairs as “habitable space,” not a second dwelling.Tampa’s 1 ADU rule means:✔ You can expand the ADU✔ You cannot create a second legally separate unit✔ You must stay under 950 sq ft TOTAL livable✔ You cannot add a second full kitchenBut:There is no rule preventing you from creating multiple rooms within one ADU.And this is the key point:As long as there is only ONE legal dwelling unit with ONE legal kitchen, the city does not consider it a second unit.So your “upstairs + downstairs as one ADU with a kitchenette downstairs” strategy is exactly what builders do when they want flexibility without creating a duplex.2.