They are not increasing taxes on some of the lower end properties.

The more adversarial your approach the higher the risk in increasing the cost.To determine the boundaries, check the legal descriptions of the properties in both of the deeds.

Increase profit and maximize tax savings

This is my first time painting so I'm not sure how well 1 coat of Kilz will seal the smell or wood paneling color. 

Using the capital I made from those closing invested in larger yellow letter campaigns, and incrementally increase my budget from there. 

I moved from downtown Toronto in 2012 because I saw the soaring RE prices and the cost of living increases.

Is there anything else I should consider when assessing this increased risk?

I own a SFH in Los Angeles and am thinking of making some upgrades-1) opening up a retaining wall that leads into the backyard and install a sliding glass door2) adding a 10x12 wood floating deckMy questions are:1) How would I calculate the increase in value for these upgrades?

If updating the interior or exterior will allow you to increase rent and get paid back in "x" number of months, I would do it.On the other hand if you have good solid tenants I wouldn't mess with anything.Since your grandfather had these for 20 years some of the tenants may be due for a rate increase without any improvments

I find it easier to put out rent increases for each person rather than trying to raise the whole rent for the house.