I provided a recent appraisal with accurate estimates of replacement cost, which has been updated to match that estimate.

You mention garbage, but in my area sewer is also a common utility provided by the government which a landlord would want to include in the rent and pay directly.

Hey @Chris Strandburg, so the reason a lot of folks say stay out is there are a lot of restrictions.For example from the PDF the city has provided-What are the main eligibility criteria to participate in Home-Sharing?

Scott, are you able to provide some insight for a newbie?

It's definitely possible but the bank would probably also provide some pushback as they want to see the operator with skin in the game.

However, we also have fix and flips along with PML and wholesale deals that provide a level of cash-flow diversity. 

I would like to find an Excel sheet calculator to use with my hard money cash provider to review the metrics of a deal and something we can both contribute to reviewing the calculations and terms.

This will provide a helpful visual so that it won't be as intimidating on your first purchase. 

I also extended the kitchen / dining room in the bottom unit by about 200 square feet to provide a usable indoor space and replacing some of the covered outside patio.

This provides you the greatest leverage in negotiating because the seller should disclose the defects to any new buyer and knowing this they are more inclined to come around to the terms you are seeking.