I have never dealt with a PM but suspect that is probably your problem. 

I suspect that given Washington's current real estate environment, it wont take you long to have the 21-22% equity position to get rid of the MI.

However, I suspect that traffic will always be an issue in a thriving area.

I would have to suspect someone receiving 89 letters is in a time sensitive distressed situation or a highly targeted easily accessible lead that just hit the radar.

I'm not sure how VA loans work, but I suspect you need a w2 income to take one out.

I suspect the garbage downshoot is not completely cleaned out, sterilized and needs to be completely sealed off.

I suspect the sheriff tax office is a good start but I don't know what questions to ask once I get there, or if they will even release that information on a property I do not own.- I heard in a podcast that there was some sort of 750 hr rule that one needed to meet before depreciation could be considered a write-off. 

Planning to keep buying at 5% down while I keep moving around for now, until I am forced to settle down which I suspect will be after 1-2 more future rental properties and one “long” term home.

I suspect that converting this to a multi unit building will not be simple.  

If we are talking about the exterior load bearing wall in the first photo, then I would suspect (with the limited info I have on hand)  that you will need to demo out the section of concrete at the floor, demo the stucco in this area, excavate the earth to expose the footing and identify the problem underneath.