Quote from @Dani Murai: Any recommendations for a reputable general contractor that services the Torrance/Gardena area? 

Also, monitoring contractors/sub contractors and keeping everything on schedule can be very difficult remotely.If you're buying turn key properties out of state is fine and a property management company and a good handyman can resolve most issues you'll run into.

What application screening service is reliable? 

The arrangement works out fantastically, as all parties can now do what they're best at, and while we are separate entities, our services are integrated.  

My business partner and I bought into it  quickly saw its limitations then just as quickly canceled our service  within two weeks.

I suggest using a service like Mayistay.

There's no strings attached thereafter or need to agree to ongoing PM services.

That is higher than most, but we want to see you succeed and only way to do that is to be sure every investor has room in the rent income to service unexpected issues. 

From what I see all the people answering to me here (and there are so many) are just coming against and refusing to agree with my simple statement: "a landlord is not above the law or norms by its personal choice or presumed capability to judge what he don't know" or as well "a landlord cannot deny or miscarriage a service to a stranger without a known valid reason and at the same time pretend to be operating professionally or loyally to the moral"Basically I'm telling if you are not able to do your business correctly it would be better to find someone else than you, mainly when your ideas about "squatter" or fair treatment are coming from ignorance or completely invented. 

the fee-based services seem worthwhile at least while actively looking.