Know what works for you and make adjustments as necessary.When adding a designer, factor in about 15-20% of your budget to pay them for their services.

You can try to get a Legal Non-Conforming Use Certificate (LNCU) but it's expensive, very labor intensive, and you still may not even be approved.  

Still may require some adjusting to them as you have it.Good luck though and good thinking outside the box (Just make sure you can in your area legally)Not legal advice blah blah

There's talks of a tram from the valley into LA city too which may even out the market here just a bit, but it may not have a huge impact.I took a look at the article that you posted on owning a primary residence, it makes some good points but there are a few points that I would make adjustments to.

The only change is the rent amount is adjusted upwards.

(photos go directly from the mobile app) For example, I want to be notified of when you sell your house (mostly because I am curious, and also hoping that you get a good deal), so I hit the heart button and they will message me when it gets pending and sold.I also use the price estimation a lot, since they adjust for some things (like bedrooms and bathrooms and sq footage), so for a quick "not really critical" comp, I use them.

This allows for locations that have different weather, different seismic activity, snow loads, etc... to adjust the code to fit to their local conditions.  

You might consider a penalty clause if the job extends over a certain period of time then the compensation is adjusted.  

I have not been able to figure out how to do interest only loans. also if you adjust anything it messes up that line and you have to remove and re-enter. at least thats been my experience.I have better luck with a spreadsheet.

The typical income-property investor we talk to is looking for an IRR in the mid-teens, and certainly won't object to pushing near 20%.Also, and as Brian suggests, that expectation is typically risk-adjusted.