I've never done bandit signs but I've heard they are effective.

Definitely better than the mind-numbing effect of other social media sites. 

Are you able to recommend any books regarding effective negative gearing and general advice for similar markets? 

I am curious to hear what others have done in this situation is it better to remove the plaster and do sheetrock but that will take away from the history of it.4 bedroom, 4 bath, 4 fireplaces, 4 kitchenettes, all hardwood floors 2 story.  2 units upstairs, 2 unit downstairs. 

OP is referring to how the subject property was titled... which has no effect on how the lawsuit against his "partners" should be handled. 

I'm being conservative with nearly all my numbers and then removing costs for property management (I'll take that on).

BARRRR is in full effect, but unsure whether I should refi and cash out a bit. 

I have seen a few "Gurus" talking about using a HELOC to pay large chunks of your mortgage and then use your HELOC as a checking account and put your paycheck into the HELOC to help with payment of the HELOC, or something to that effect.  

Does having more units in a rental property effect how much you would want in your cash flow?

If you ask the manager to justify a fee and he starts hemming and hawing, move on or require them to remove the fee.