$1,500-$1,600 is about the going rate for a 2/2 in most average areas of BR, but I can see where some neighborhoods would get more.Another thing to think about - if the property is sitting vacant right now and you have ready and willing (and qualified) tenants, then the opportunity cost of waiting an extra month or two is $1,550/month.

Time and money - how much extra do you have?

I just had to take extra money out of my personal account and funnel into my rental account. 

Extra set of eyes, second opinion and diversity of your own investments

One extra month of vacancy for the MTR could erase the surplus.

You can always take extra courses or certifications later to level up your skills.

More traps, patch up holes, tell your tenants to be extra clean when dealing with food. 

Are people paying for extra flood insurance or other insurance?

Private notes require more work than Stocks / Bonds, is the added return worth the extra work?

Since Landlords are going to be monitored even more now with the price gouging issues surrounding the fires in LA, I would be extra cautious.