I am in talks with a couple people now.

These are the people - in my opinion- that need loan brokers the most, since they really don't have a grip on the market - and are thus more susceptible to agreeing to suboptimal loan proceeds / rates / terms. 

The lot works and ok with living in one unit, just trying to find people that have executed them in Los Angeles City.

Flat rate vet's the snot out of people to assure QUALITY.

In general, most people value STRs for sale based on the income of the STR.

People who fail to keep good tenants and turn over every year, they lose. 

I'm surprised by some of the responses here about how people like VRBO more than AirBNB.

I've also held of holding properties in individual LLCs that are owned by one S corporation, which allows for a 60 / 40 split between ordinary income (regular tax) and dividends (capital gains tax rate).With the goal of minimizing taxation and liability protection, what would be the recommendation from more experienced people here?

. - some strategies I've seen California investors use to lessen negative cash flow: house hacking, mid-term rentals (people temporarily displaced from home renovation or insurance reasons like fire), rent by the room, Short Term Rentals. - The ultimate house hack, live in the small ADU unit and rent out the two levels of the main house on AirBnb in San Francisco (I would have thought STRs are oversaturated in S.F. but it worked for them and they stay fully booked).

DM me if you would like to have a conversation and I can guide you to people I know in the community that could help.