Where I live and invest I need a permit for just about anything and I cannot pull a homeowner permit unless I am occupying it as my primary residence already.

In the end, we pulled all the sheetrock from the walls and ceiling and redid the room.

The bank option sounds the most intriguing at the moment - just wanted a little more advice before pulling the trigger.

I wanted to pull out some of the equity from the improvement.If you didn't do anything significant to improve the duplex, I would wait another year or two.

I want to transition some junker apartments like Filipe and then refinance and pull out funds then rinse and repeat until I grow my empire ;-)

First, make sure the property was converted to a triplex legally - i.e. all permits were pulled and there are three separate electric meters.Providing the property is fully occupied and the renters are all paying and current it should make it easier to wholesale the property to a landlord.

Can you convert it to a 4 - yes and you will probably need to pull permits.

Buying homes with cash to get the best deal, pulling money out via equity loan/credit to buy another home is a good way to go.Keep in mind most lenders/banks don't want to see more than 4 mortgaged units so it gets a bit tricky after. that.

There is another report that you can pull..a Monetary Lien and Encumbrance report.

initially, when you go to open the account and they run a credit check/pull your credit, there will be an small dip in your credit score.