If your properties are all located in CA I would advise looking in states like IN, OH, FL, TN, OR, GA and a few other states depending on comfort zone.

If your willing to do so, you can live in the casita and then rent out the main home and have your tenant pay the majority/all of the mortgage (depending on what type of deal you find obviously). 

Depending on the fee schedule and activity this can cost significant transaction fees and always includes some red tape and extra processes to go through.

As others have mentioned, DSCR loans are generally for turnkey rentals (although outdated rentals may still qualify depending on the level of deferred maintenance). 

It depends.

@Jason Sinclair, having a designer for a wife, I would answer that it really depends heavily on each house, the flow and usability of the spaces as they are, and the overall use of space in the house as a whole.That being said, while there may be a small shift towards more separated spaces, "open concept" is by no means dead, and in many markets, most people seem to still want to have connectivity between their communal spaces.In fact, my wife's current flip is a split level (although technically it is a split-foyer), and she is taking out a structural wall to connect the kitchen, dining and living areas.  

This can provide additional capital for future investments and get the next one.Or evaluating other loan options:Depending on your long-term plans, you could explore conventional loans or portfolio loans that might offer more favorable rates or terms with the new appraisal value factored in.Your decision depends on your broader strategy.

I think it's very dependent on the property and market. 

Check out Norada Capital with a simple no fees structure and 12-15% annual yield depending on how much you invest.  

A trust transfer allows for smoother estate planning, and if inherited after their passing, the land receives a step-up in basis, reducing future capital gains tax.Each method has pros and cons depending on their estate plans and your long-term goals.