I am a loan officer so yeah.....So I guess what I am saying is when you write your LOE (letter of explanation) the art factor here is can you convince the UW the above while sounding authentic?

@Harry Gamble that's true.

I've found that the most authentic leaders are willing to help anyone if you ask and be curious!  

As for repurposing the space, I think it can be done with the right plan and investors, but it is a huge gamble to take. 

Not familiar with the area, but I would probably gamble with not getting Earthquake insurance.

Calling the city is a bit of a gamble, but one you should take.

There must be a much larger amount of people who take the gamble and fail that we don't hear about than I thought.

Lastly, everything is more expensive than you think, and as I understand it, it is more challenging to be a landlord in California.If you are betting on appreciation in the future, that might work, but it is a gamble.

You could also rent it out and eat the cost of the extra mortgage until the equity rises but at that point you are gambling.

You did well with the appreciation gamble.