But it still created trouble in the past when some tenants wanted to leave earlier due to a deteriorating relationship.  

Hi @Ellen Feiss I agree with @Ty Coutts that you should start with informal, friendly, face-to-face conversations with the tenants to establish rapport, especially as you have some lead time here before next April.People don't like surprises or having to scramble, so if you are able to let them know your plans in advance, if they are reasonable people they should appreciate the extra lead time.This is especially true if their rents are currently very under market - they will have sticker shock when they look at what other units are renting for, and have to spend more time finding a new unit (if you'll be asking them to leave).If you have to move into one of the units yourself, I'm surprised you (or your lender) didn't make it a condition of the purchase and make the seller have the unit vacant for you.Sooner or later in rental real estate, you will have to establish a relationship with an eviction attorney.

Many will buy properties themselves disclosing their relationship in some cases, I know one who uses a straw man (that would be you).

It takes market knowledge, construction knowledge, proper analysis, financial relationships, rent projections, property management knowledge, and a whole list of other things that are only gained through experience. 

I must be creative these days with my relationships with the Sellers.

Let the experts do the work and leverage their knowledge base and their relationships.  

After being involved in a business that owned real estate for 28 years and investing in real estate for the last 5 years I have a great relationship with many trades people.

Taking action before you know anything is going to real estate investing meetups, asking smart questions in the forums, building relationships, reading books, and listening to podcasts.

To summarize:The note investment market is a niche, relationship-driven industry with limited overall size.

Historically there is a bad relationship between initial cash flow and long term cash flow.