Raj Good afternoon @Raj SinghCongratulations on your recent acquisition.Every state has different tenancy laws, so be sure to follow CA's laws. 

Now other properties could be different, but we are now looking for duplexes with 1 vacant unit so we can rehab and get market rates and then move the other tenant out after the rehab. 

I don't know, maybe it's a crazy idea, but I think it's worth exploring.I've been tossing around the idea of creating a platform that integrates different data sources in a way that's actually user-friendly.

Some building insurance companies may not allow this because it is essentially free rein on use of the property. either way, do what’s best for you.   

Sometime these arrangements fall apart quickly, it's hard to live with people who live differently than you and you don't really know how someone lives until they are moved in.  

My sister and I have delt with it but different opinions on how to manage it so it's now 95% my sister. 

Sharing the scale of what you are planning can make a big difference on the answers too.. are you talking about  a single family house or 2, duplexes, small multifamily, or larger?

Realize at the outset that real estate will involve all different types to service, maintain, repair, improve, insure, manage and eventually sell.  

Hey Dan, Have your lender price out at different LTV's and see if that helps (instead of getting the max cashout). 

And there could be some carve out exemptions for seller financing and if so then that would possibly need to be filed with the California's DFPI.Research local escrow companies and banks to see if any of them do contract loan servicing.