I would also be an out of state investor My first piece of advice as a new investor is to be patient, find a local (Los Angeles local) mentor and learn.  

Harder: Find a mentor (Be humble, patient and polite .... work hard for them because ultimately you have to offer them something in return) Everyone gets asked to be a mentor, but the mentor needs to get something out of the deal.

To execute this strategy, you need a lot of patient capital.

I have ask my landlord to replace my carpet since it's been over 10 years since I moved in she has agreed to replace the carpet on several occasions  however stated that  the property owner needs to come and inspect the carpet to make sure that  it is not  above and beyond normal wear and tear it is my understanding that in California the carpet should be replaced after 10 years  it is has bugs in it  there is no padding left  it is filthy grungy and it's already been cleaned twice and no  difference  because I am diabetic if I can have it replace laminate flooring that are being installed and all the  recently vacated units  which are being renovated I asked her on several occasions if I can have laminate floor instead of carpet and she stated that they cannot install laminate flooring in upstairs units due to the noise however I just discovered that the unit adjacent to mine on the upstairs floor  just  was renovated and they installed laminate flooring as this discrimination can I demand  this type of flooring  and ask  her about the new laminate flooring on the second floor policy and why I am unable to  have the same  can I demand that type of flooring or do I have to have carpet  I also feel she is being discriminating against me for no reason  she has been short when I ask for repairs  I asked to move to the downstairs unit and she gave me a whole rant about how she doesn't think that the property owners would allow me to move down there based on my rent being late once or twice  and a bunch of other reasons which I don't think it's her business  to point these things out to me or rather she should just give me the application or instructions on how to go about it and let the property owners make that decision  do I have any basis for discrimination  complaint against her with the fair housing authorities  California

Just be patient @Manasa Srinath you will find a tenant soon and be sure you’ve checked what your comp’s are renting for.

Properties are not running anywhere Be patient and your rentals will be a blessing

I have no debt and am patient and disciplined with my assets...So, I'm open to ideas and connections about how to mix and match real estate buying/investing in those areas with a possible career switch into some kind of real estate W2 income. 

The best one we had was an older woman still driving school buses @ 67 yrs old because her 1st two husbands took everything.Can't imagine how she got licensed to drive a school because we would have EMT calls 2x month at the rental for her diabetic issues.

I was the one making the decisions.It took that failure as an investor to learn to be patient. 

Investors are always looking for agents that will "put up with our antics" so if you're patient and willing the rewards can be great.