Due to item 1, adding an ADU can require years to start achieving any return (once the accumulated cash flow recovers the initial negative position).4) Adding an ADU is a slow process.

Your equity is not a savings account from which you can withdraw for free.

Of course, if the tenants don't file tax returns, there's not much we can do except try to garnish their bank account when they get their federal return - if you can find their bank and serve that bank a Garnishment Notice before the tenant withdraws the electronic payment from the IRS/ tax preparer.Hope this all helps!

I have not used Zillow payments but looking into it. any other recommendations.Thanksnamal We use Rent Redi, it has an option for auto withdrawal from the tenants account to yours.

The house has been on the market but traffic is slow - not sure if this is due to the current environment or something specific I should address within my listing (we've already adjusted the price). 

The strongest trend will probably remain the migration from north to south (FL, TX, NC), out of CA and IL and also a little more away from heat, water shortage, wild fire smoke and storms.Real estate markets move so slow, that short term is realitvley easy to predict based on leading indicators.

Slow Pay vs No Pay. 

Second, be patient and start slow in areas that you know-no out-of-state investing.

This will clear your mind and slow down the process which, ironically, will speed up your progress. 

These would be the tenants that are storing their junk in publicly visible areas, consistent slow payers, or potentially even the tenants that will never be able to afford your proforma rents.