So I am military, originally out of CA so it's my "home state"/residency but very easy for me to change as I am stationed out of CA and have been for a long time.I own several properties in CA and one in WA.

Originally, these two units were leased to two different types of business.

We did a 100% gut/rehab on a 1950's house in 2018 and converted it to a duplex, turned out beautiful, salvaged the original wood floors in parts of the house, put good LVP in the rest, simple plastic mini blinds on every window.

Originally posted by AshleyW:...

Originally the bank offered 5, I asked for 10.  

You are 100% financed on the new property and close to 90% on the original property.

Originally posted by @Dan McDermott:Hey!

First thing to consider is what was the original foundation design and can it hold a second story to a home.

The banks you are speaking with either do not originate conventional loans or the LO simply does not know how to originate them.  

Never believe the original timeline the contractor gives you!