Pick a color that works with the roof too. 

A great option like that is to just find a deal that cash flows and is not rent controlled, like what @Logan Allec mentioned.For example, I just picked up a fourplex in Boyle Heights right by the Guisados on Cezar Chavez.

Depending on who the investor on the 1st mortgage is will determine the guidelines on what payoff the 1st lien servicer may offer a subordinate mortgage.

I’m meeting with a lender who has his own rental properties to pick his brain a bit.

I've never seen a more difficult way to pick a forum "topic".

Since you're a newer investor, I'd expect your rates to be around 12% and 3pts with 10% down payment.Your comps should dictate what you do to your house (in regards to that extra bathroom), not your own personal opinions or anyone else's.See if you can bring a contractor (to get bids) and inspector (to find out what's wrong with the house and determine your scope of work) to the house.What program are you with? 

But I would make sure you take into account all expenses (taxes, insurance, property management, repairs, CapEx, etc.) to determine monthly cash flow.  

We have a large dataset and want to pick your brain about:Creating relationships from app to app on Podio; especially when there are multiple owners per property or multiple properties per owner.Bulk mapping of fields, (instead of the current individual drag and drop feature we are using) after importing from Excel.Thank you in advance.Jenny

@Julie Hill What option(s) you decide to take will be dependent on: Balance sheet  - how many $ are you willing to invest, how quickly and for how long;Time commitment;Risk/return expectations - newbie investor only look @ returns, whereas they should be focusing on understanding riskLiquidity and risk tolerance - closely linked with the earlier point on risk/return expectations.I would focus on picking a niche and taking a deep-dive.

That will determine your best path.