I'm curious how the more experienced guys go about getting the rents to go up in a rent controlled city like Oakland.

You can control the value by seizing the opportunity and oiling the machine to max efficiency.

Except that she has no control over how long it takes the bank to clear the check.  

Taking over inherited property of my family and I need to make sure the paperwork is correct so I can have proper control to gain access to the equity for future deals. 

Your buddy needs to get a lawyer and regain control of his property.

Instead of putting money into a retirement account and losing general control of it, why not look for alternative methods to reduce current year passive losses and tap into prior year suspended passive losses? 

Hi BP, I am trying to structure my first L/O deal on a duplex I want to gain control of to rent out.

First, i would not furnish the places, it will probably get trashed, let them get there own furnishings and make sure that the lease says they must remove them from the property when they leave. i would have them pay for utilities, to an extent - have them pay for electric, supply the heat but give them an allowance for certain amount of months ( especially if you have older furnaces and they run on oil heat ) if they go over then you charge them for it. i converted mine to gas with new furnaces, i include heat in mine, but i control the thermostat ( online, thermostat is locked at the house ). i also provide water / sewer and free internet.

You have a lot more control.

Most likely North east LA but all of the properties in that area are rent control.