I'm invested with friends, my romantic partner, family and some folks who are one step short of being a stranger.  

Asking a bunch of strangers on a forum to make this decision for you would not be totally in your best interests.

I'm no stranger to taking risk in exchange for expected upside.

It would be better if is was with strangers, then you/they could get mad or sue.

I know it’s a lot to ask to meet a complete stranger and have them pick your brain, but seriously, you can order whatever you want on the menu and if you want music lessons, I can offer those as I am a musician by trade (mostly drums and guitar.)

It's more than you will find for free on these forums unless you are up to trusting your estate to the opinions of strangers. 

Since you want to save money and don't think it's a problem to ask strangers to share a bathroom in their home, why don't you just have your tenants come stay with you until the repairs are made? 

You'll build personal connections with strangers. 

This way don't need to share home with a stranger.

Even paying for inexpensive parts if needed just to avoid strangers in "my" house/apartment.