I added a new software platform, got rid of all abandoned vehicles, raised rents, seal-coated and striped parking lot, took out loads and loads of trash, got the phone number working and started marketing to local community groups.

My goal is to 1031 the entire portfolio into a single large multi unit.

Once you have a large number of properties (maybe 10ish?)

For now, robust insurance can provide liability protection, with an LLC added later as your portfolio grows, balancing California's fees with liability needs.

However, my contractor has informed me that a large part of the dead tree is still hanging over the garage and is likely going to fall during another storm and probably destroy the garage again.

Also <most times> adding a extra bedroom but not adding sq ft doesn’t help much on ARV specially currently being under 1,500sq ft.

And I'm building one more large right now.

Can function as either co-living or one large multi-generation single family house.

The issue than became adding utilities. 

It contains hundreds of files such as ebooks, checklists and spreadsheets for real estate investors: https://www.biggerpockets.com/filesGood luck.