Step outside to the fenced backyard or relax on the swing on the front porch.

Quote from @Account Closed: Hello,A PM we have just hired wants a W9 and social security number from us.Two companies we hired previously didn’t ask for this.I am not comfortable with sharing my ss number around needlessly. 

While I do maintain a relatively modest percentage of my assets in money market instruments, corporate debt funds, and high dividend stocks, I remain most comfortable with the investments I specialize in and know best.  

If you’re comfortable with a bigger investment, a duplex is good for the benefit of additional cash flow and you could house-hack.

Must have tools: you need some type of evaluation metric and/or tool that you are comfortable with and are willing to walk about from a deal if it doesn't meet your requirements.also, a deal is a term for a transaction, not to be confused with a "good deal".

The seller will always retain the equity and would receive annual distributions - and could structure the agreement with an exit strategy that makes them comfortable. 

If you are comfortable with the rezone process I would look at this, and perhaps you can still ADU in future after the rezone.

I really want to just relax and have a happy life and hope for the best.

What other steps would you take to see if it makes sense to relax the rental criteria?

Go with what you feel comfortable with.4.