The 2nd floor is always more challenging than the 1st floor but renting a lift gets you past the height issue.The main reasons I replace with standard sizes, I can check for water intrusion, I can insulate better, I can replace with dual pane, the windows are easier to open in an emergency, they are easier to replace in the future when a baseball goes through them, they look better and they increase value.

Digging a new well cost us $9500, while the emergency plumbing, hazmat cleanup, and repairs for the septic pipe and basement cost us another $5000.Lesson #4: Don't panic and don't act based on emotion. 

Cash reserves also include an owner's ability to borrow, getting to other sources of funds for emergencies and being able to carry short term debt.Multi, 5+ units are more to condition and net worth along with reserves and that is considering the debt coverage ratio, a minimum of 125%, better at 175% or more. 6 months PITI is still valid, that may well move out to 12 months as a compensating factor.Compensating factors are those aspects of the property, net worth, income and management experience that may out weigh a borrower's lacking in other areas.

I do not want to drain my emergency fund in order to have the funds to pay for the down payment and would rather leverage the equity I already have.

No emergency.

If you did your yields would be better, but of course you would have no shared appreciation.Since you've put the 3hr limit on distance from LA, a preference for appreciation (I assume over yearly cash flow) and noted you're handy I'd suggest looking into a emerging B or C market in LA.  

@Chan K.In my experience major issues like no heat, no hot water, or other emergency situations 24-48hrs at most.

Face-checking website Snopes also noted the bill could potentially lead to scenarios in which an emergency room doctor refused to treat a gay person (though the onus would be upon the doctor to then defend that behavior in court).

i’m interested in areas that are becoming popular for millennials/young professionals, so have been looking at southside, downtown, woodlawn...not sure if these are still considered emerging or not on the flip side i’m also interested in strong blue collar neighborhoods close to blue collar jobs.

Owner will not enter the premises without first making a reasonable attempt to request entry from the Tenant, except in the case of an emergency or Tenant’s failure to respond within a reasonable amount of time.