You'll find a ton of kind, supportive, and helpful people here.Are your existing 7 properties currently in Chicago? 

If existing houses are cheap relative to land and constructions costs, and supply is high, it may not be worth developing even if the agency says "do whatever you want".

Other options include partnering with someone with better credit, negotiating seller financing, or leveraging existing property as collateral.

They need to do all their due diligence including understanding the value that will be added by the ADU, the finance options available, the consequences of adding the ADU (rent control, property taxes, rental limitations, etc), etc.Good luck As with all things, it depends on the investor and the equity.If they are able to leverage existing equity to buy it under a HEL or HELOC, then they are adding equity with no out of pocket expenses, and adding immediate and longterm cashflow to existing stock.We like ADU's because there isn't more land being created in our city that is landlocked...but there is more density available to those with large lot under-utilized sfh.In my market, it typically costs $2 to add less than $1 of value on single build ADUs.  

You mention going on title and taking over the loan - is there an existing mortgage?

Living, but either way you could try speaking with existing owner/operators groups in the greater bay area, or even central coast, looking to expand their portfolios for a joint venture.  

What I really want to do is add 15k sf to the existing warehouse.

Defaults and Remedies A default exists under this note if (1) Borrower defaults in the payment of this note or in the performance of any obligation in any instrument securing or collateral to this note; (2) (a) Borrower or (b) any other person liable on any part of this note (an "Other Obligated Party") fails to timely pay or perform any obligation or covenant in any written agreement between Lender and Borrower or any Other Obligated Party other than as described in (1) above; (3) any representation in this note or in any other written agreement between Lender and Borrower or any Other Obligated Party is materially false when made; (4) a receiver is appointed for Borrower or an Other Obligated Party or any property on which a lien or security interest is created as security (the "Collateral Security") for any part of this note; (5) any Collateral Security is assigned for the benefit of creditors; (6) a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is commenced by Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party; (7) (a) a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding is commenced against Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party and (b) the proceeding continues without dismissal for sixty days, the party against whom the proceeding is commenced admits the material allegations of the petition against it, or an order for relief is entered; (8) Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party is terminated, begins to wind up its affairs, or is authorized to terminate or wind up its affairs by its governing body or persons, or any event occurs or condition exists that permits the termination or winding up of the affairs of Borrower, a partnership of which Borrower is a general partner, or an Other Obligated Party; or (9) any Collateral Security is impaired by loss, theft, damage, levy and execution, issuance of an official writ or order of seizure, or destruction, unless it is promptly replaced with collateral security of like kind and quality or restored to its former condition.

AAA is there debt on the existing property?

She hounded me a few days, told her I haven't received the application and when I did, it was trivial to legally deny.Just another joy of being a landlord.If NEEDY applies to an existing tenant, refer them to Social Services or Hospice.