Your main concern should be whether these bedrooms and bathrooms on the lower level are legal and have the proper egress require for fire code and livability.

While I’m not an expert on the legal aspects of posting here, I do have years of experience coaching students in real estate sales and investing.For anyone getting started in real estate, I always emphasize the importance of focusing on key steps before committing to a deal.

As you probably know, California includes all foreign immigration - both legal and illegal to boost the numbers.

Buying through an agent may provide more transparency, while sheriff sales and auctions can offer deals but often come with risks, like limited property inspection or legal complications.

If that doesn’t work, you may need to seek legal advice or reach out on social media for more visibility.

If not, then you really need a strong legal structure stating how these properties will be governed going forward, including management, tenant selection, capital expenses, etc.

Similar areas that have legal under utilized permitted space convert to max studios that you can fit.  

Even so, they were able to help at times when I had technical questions about the legal process.

Said it great .Especially  A legal contractor has more to lose than a homeowner .

This is correct, but that .5% is IN ADDITION to all the other closing costs associated with a refinance (Title/Escrow Fees, prepaids, and depending on the bank, Underwriting / processor costs) - so in reality it can be a little more expensive to refinance with IRRRLs.