I claimed for years 1) initial cash flow and cash flow over a long hold have a poor coupling 2) that I would purchase a property with negative initial cash flow.  3) I cared about total return and did not give a $hit about cash flow if the other returns produce an outstanding return 4) that cash flow is my least favorite return because it gets taxed annually. 

I hope you learn from this and hire a quality PM for the next time.I would try two things, simultaneously:1.

@Laura CasnerFocus on quality over quantity in real estate investing, celebrate progress, refine criteria, explore secondary markets, and explore different property types.

Even with the finishes being better in the class a, I suspect it will have the lower maintenance cap ex due to better quality tenants

Unfortunately, we live in California so we would have to pay significant capital gains if we sell.Hi Scott, depending on the property and if you’re willing to invest in quality interior design, you could make more money as an STR.

I was pizz-poor, totally clueless on how to find a deal so I just did what I could, knock doors and ask. 

To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

If they are the quality PM you say they are, there is nobody who is going to know more or give it to you straighter then them. 

I definitely recommend that you seek out a Certified Cost Segregation Professional so that you are confident in the quality of the work performed and the deliverables produced.

., as Bad habits in one area typically carry over to other areas, and will land you a poor Tenant (or co-signer) choice.