something simple is buy storage shed from Home Depot and place it outside for extra storage for you tenants and increase the rent $50-100.

Does anyone know of any lenders that will look at an equity loan / line of credit on a personal storage garage?

I would make arrangements to get his belongings out of the property and either in storage or returned to him some how.

Dan, it is important not to place yourself in the sellers shoes.

I apologize up front if this post is disorganized, but I'm sure there are other people who are or have been in my shoes and can offer guidance.About me: mid-30s, high-paying day job, telecommute and somewhat flexible hours, married with kids, own a duplex in Los Angeles county. 

I agree with @Eric Gardiner here, if it were me in your shoes I would consider getting a HELOC on the UT property (because its the cheapest money you can borrow) and keep that cash flow going.

I would be living in one unit, so renting out the other 3 plus parking and storage would come to about $90,600 gross annual income.

So if I was in your shoe, I would Airbnb the crap out of this MFH.

There are low end areas that offer easier price points, and high end, single family and large mult-family, commercial, storage, universities ... 

For example, if you want the pros of multifamily but want absolute minimum management fees then you might look into a small self-storage space instead.