The best bet is to talk to a small local bank (or three) about your options.

A local broker will be your best bet. 

I've committed myself to being a full-time real estate investor, private money broker and real estate consultant!

I'm Christian Campos, a private money lender and real estate investor from Los Angeles, CA.Where are you located in California? 

The best bet is to ask a local landlord attorney what is and isn't allowed in your area. 

Hi @James Heller I am fully renovating 2 of my units on a 4plex I have in Golden Hill...feel free to reach out and send me a private message if you need assistance and contacts....You can get cabinets and prefab quartz countertops pretty inexpensive and refacing is usually more expensive, I've found.  

Firstly, regarding the location, I understand that exact location details can be helpful for some investors, but it's my personal preference to keep that information private for now.

Many are private owners just subsidizing their mortgage or they would not be able to afford the house without renting it out much of the season.

If you want to discuss more you can always send me a private message but so far I don't see any negatives with purchasing the multi-family.

Your best bet at this point is to get together with an architect and see what your options are.