I generally have a strong emotional reaction and then work to a more logical, sustainable response...the trick is getting to that logical response before I write an email/place a phone call etc..The fire marshall is a pretty reasonable guy and indicated that he'd be willing to work with me on it, but I'm probably going to have to spend some money/time convincing neighbors to turn the existing 10 ft. alley into something close to an 18 ft one. 

Trick is to live below your means right now and save.Also, think about getting into a high income or commission driven job... something where you aren't being just paid by the hour, but can really accelerate your savings. 

This will lead them to pull out the multi-family bag of tricks, free rent months rent, lowers security deposits, free HBO...

I like to say, if you need to use all the tricks to make a deal work, then it's not a deal. 

What are some tips/tricks you use as self managers to streamline calls like these and how you get them taken care of without getting burnt out on landlording while also not having to pay 10% of income toward a PM? 

The trick is to find the markets that can make you money.Happy investing!

Nice one.A useful little trick I picked up from ACORN.

The real trick is going to be to account for that HML expense - which is a perfect analogy by Joe V in terms of how to think of that HML loan.Its going to be extremely difficult to find deals that will have a large enough profit margin in them when including the HML fees/interest.And if the house doesn't sell in 3 months, then your profits are going to go right over to the HML. 

Ask Dave Ramsey about that.The other trick investors use is to go down market in class.  

I think the trick is to pick one and stick with it so there is no wasted time in decision making and you do not have spare cans of different shades.