@Kenia Crevoisier if the work requires permits, the plumber doesn't have a choice to do it legally without permits.

I agree that there are limited choices to learn. best to meet local investors.Chad is awesome, I follow his stuff on YouTube, how much of his Canadian experience is applicable to US?

Clermont, Winter Garden and even Apopka would be good choices for building appreciation and still have a good commute.Your budget may determine what areas are going to be attractive enough, but the rental market is always strong here, so I wouldn't put too much weight on that for now since you plan to live in it for a couple years first.Always happy to chat, just message me and we can set something up and see how we can help you plan or take action now!

I purchased a property in Southern CA I plan house hack.So the obvious choice is to seal off the walls and just create a "studio."

@Ryan Copeland tons of info to digest here, I think one way people are looking at it is using FHA low down payment loan options with rates at an all-time low buying the MF property and then living in one of the units and renting out the other(s) and covering their mortgage, basically living payment free. 

Ryan Pineda did something similar with "couch flipping" to get a start https://www.youtube.com/watch?....

So many choices I need some input.I want to do something orange or copper in color and canopy style or metal.

I personally give tenants that choice, many landlords do not.

If I did the refi I would need to use some of the cash to pay the mortgage off slowly, which in my mind seems like a bad choice? 

Cash for keys works pretty well too and may be your easiest choice of action.