The legal aspects also scare me a bit, but that's mostly out of ignorance rather than knowledge of what goes into it.But since I've read a bit more it seems that hiring a PM might not be in my best interest.

As a first-time house hacker you want to maximize your revenue and minimize your living space to make the most.Also, there are 2+1 units which are 2 legal units and a 3rd boarder unit (either in the basement or the attic).

That sounds like a good plan though, it would most definitely make sense to refi.  

Los Angeles has many STR's but it's definitely not the best market for them since the regulations continue to get more strict as time goes.

With all of that being said, does anyone have a legal soft proof of funds letter (pre-approval) that is editable and will work in all 50 states?

I would DEFINITELY NOT pay one and then do Ellis Act.

A landlord does not need to provide a reasonable accommodation for an emotional support animal when:The property is an owner-occupied building with four or fewer unitsThe property is a single-family home sold or rented by the owner without the use of an agentThe emotional support animal poses a risk to the health or safety of other people, or a risk of substantial damage to property (but this risk must be specific to the animal and cannot be based solely on assumptions about the animal’s breed)"Definitely have a chat with a local attorney to ensure your local laws apply, nonetheless since its an owner occupant, it sounds like you have some recourse to deny this request. 

It definitely helped us game plan how to fix this.

Therefore, the projections and forecasts presented here should be used as general guidance and not as a definitive prediction of future market conditions.I recommend that individuals and businesses conduct their own research before making any investment or purchasing decisions.

I'm not sure where you're located but where I am, I can check local LLC information and do a search for loans they've done and then I can see any legal problems they've had.