A 4 family unit rules out large dogs so medium to small dogs and cats sounds about right.

Homes are clearly outdated and need things taken care of like lead paint, new windows, paint, etc. 

So if you purchase this outside of California, you must have your local infrastructure in place to help you take care of the property. 

I went in the other day with an officer, and didn’t touch anything, but it appeared to be just clothes in the bottoms of the closets and all over the laundry room, a crib, a dog cage, and bags of trash.

The IRS does not care whether it is a conventional loan, private loan, gift from a friend, sale of stock, savings, robbing your child's piggy bank or wherever you have access to money. 

Take care.

1.) renting as is- Usually folks who are interested in the house are not going to care for the property.

Your work will be at the beginning, being careful with your money. 

I want to be super careful with OPM.

I do not quite understand why they would care about your rationale.