I gave them 45 days notice of the new lease and rent increase (5/15).

That is an easy way to increase the value.

However, Pasadena is full of older houses that need some modern amenities and features, like higher ceilings, smooth ceilings, new flooring, double pane windows, modern appliances, modern paint colors, etc. 

Or, if you're happy to stay living there, but want as much immediately accessible cash in your pocket as a Lender would approve, you'd need to make sure your newly acquired investor mindset was in full bargain hunting / return-on-investment mode, because, your monthly repayments will increase significantly once you withdraw the maximum against a HELOC!

Using this method you could essentially save and continue to build on that 20,000 or you could put it into the property to increase the value while simultaneously increasing the rent.

So I was always looking at this as an investment property, butI didn't know the first thing about REI at the time.Let me ask you a question: The property value has increased by about $40k with comps selling for close to $200k.

You try stuff and if it fails (and aren't wiped out), you learn from your mistakes and try something different.Now the question becomes the best ways for me to increase my passive incomes to create this income stream I need (the wellsprings of cash that outrun my growing expenses [healthcare in old age] and inflation).

If interest rates start going up, I think your odds of getting the loan called increase. 

Could probably write in a rent increase after year one to keep up with the market.All else being equal, I’d say first come, first serve.

If you rehabbed the property be prepared with a list of repairs to justify the increased price.