Shutting down sectors of an economy will cause job loss though a lot of these jobs (retail, restaurant, etc.) will return when the quarantine is over.

Some likely around 50 percent loss.

I have no active income that I need to offset with active losses, so my question is, do i HAVE to separate the properties if i am NOT considered a real estate professional?

You might have to agree to eat some amount of loss each month, because it's difficult to make properties in that price range work as rentals here in San Antonio.

Simple way to think of it is with the additional principle, would you rather invest it and make "x" (x being whatever return you can generate through RE, stock..etc) or use it to minimize the 3-4% interest rate that's locked.

The credit impact is likely to be minimal and if I recall once you are over the excellent credit threshold the rate doesn't really change anymore, I want to say that the excellent credit threshold is in the low to mid 700s but don't quote me on that.

The asking price and my offer are about $15/sqft higher than the highest comp in the neighborhood, but I am willing to absorb the loss to keep my family happy(3 kids and a puppy making life hectic in my current home).

This lot includes a foundation stubbed for electrical (underground)/plumbing/sewer/water etc. the former property was deemed a total loss in a house fire and the prior home owner cleared and stubbed the foundation (slab on grade).

I assumed if this was done I shouldn't have any repairs that are not covered by a warranty or at least very minimal in cost.

My issue is that only works for one estimate, the others would be a loss of $89 x n with "n" being the number of quotes.