We have fair landlord-tenant laws, similar to Texas, but still the specific process is different.

I would probably go with a HELOC as you won't have to pay for what you're not using unless you've got a specific property you're going to be buying with that money so you know you won't just take out the loan and sit on it paying interest all the while. 

I will preface this with the fact that I have a legal background, specifically with estate planning and asset protection.

Have to agree with most here in that a SF-> duplex conversion needs some really specific qualities to be worth the squeeze.

Are there specific lenders or servicers that are more likely to call these loans?

Selling your share at fair market value could avoid gift tax but may trigger capital gains tax for you based on the sale price and your cost basis.In California, the transfer may also trigger a property tax reassessment under Proposition 13 unless a specific exemption applies.

This protects against potential claims and liabilities specific to the rental.For tax purposes, maintain clear records of rental-related income and expenses, allowing deductions for insurance, utilities, maintenance, and depreciation proportionate to the rental unit.

Without going into too much detail, my current situation stems from selling a previous company via partial owner financing, only for the new owner to default on the purchase, leaving me in this position.For traditional financing, I understand I’ll need at least one, if not two, years of solid credit history, tax filings, and other financial documentation.

If you want the exact process you'd need to speak directly to the planning/zoning dept and specifically ask them these questions to outline the exact process for this property. 

I’m a first-timer, so bear with me if I sound a little clueless – I’m still figuring it all out.Here’s the scoop: I’m looking to purchase a long-term rental property within the $300-350k budget range.