This is especially true if you want tax write off. 

Sometimes the same write-off can be on line A or line B, and that choice can make a difference. 

Just wanted to thank @John Jacobus for writing this gem in here.  

This should be in writing when accepting the deposit.

The tenants like it as well because they don’t have to write checks.

How long will does it take to write up a needed scope of work to present to the bank, rough guidelines would be very helpful. 

Have you given them the notices in writing that these repairs need to be done and the severity of them?

Anyway, it's low initial investment, you get to live for free, your tenants are literally buying you a duplex/ triplex/ quadplex by paying down your loan, you are able to write off the deprecation of the property from your income+ other tax advantages, you can potentially be cash-flowing on top of living free from day one (if not you will down the line if you move out and rent your unit) and you will potentially see appreciation based solely on inflation or market trends depending on the specific location of the property or you can force appreciation by fixing up the property.

I'm exhausted just after writing it, and frankly, I'm absolutely looking forward to finally planting roots and settling down here in LA.

The entire process is complex so there's a reason people host seminars, write books and have coaching programs to teach the process.