If they were separately metered, each tenant would pay the $116.50 base fees and their individual use, which would be 3x higher than what they pay when sharing a meter.There are many options, but don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.

As individual investors are easier target than corporate.

Long term rentals are unattractive in CA imo especially since you can earn a lot more with different rental strategies even doing mid term rentals will still probably be more profitable than doing a long term rental.As far as hiring a contractor or bringing in subs for each item that will come down to how much you want to be involved, you'll save money finding and subbing out individual jobs but it will take you longer and you will need to manage everyone you hire and contract to do business with whereas a contractor will manage all that for you but there will be a premium put onto the price obviously for that. 

Any advise or connections to Houston Authority?

I’m here to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded individuals who can help guide me along the way.I’ve been fortunate to build great networks so far, but I know there’s so much more to discover in the beautiful world of real estate.

Essentially their model is to take a 3/4 bedroom SFH, put flex wall it to 6 tenants and rent out each room individually.

'Owning' land for foreign individuals is not possible.

As for the 1031, while you as an individual LP cannot 1031, some syndicators will allow the syndication to 1031 from one controlled deal to another.  

I’m nearing the completion of my Tennessee Real Estate License, and I’m eager to connect with like-minded individuals in the real estate space, specifically in the Nashville and Franklin areas.I bring over 8 years of experience in renovations and custom home building, which has given me a deep understanding of the construction side of real estate.

I’m contacted multiple times a week by individuals who buy lousy real estate in Philly and I hear “ but the agent told me” or “the wholesaler promised me” it was a legal use…the rents would increase…..I could rent this section 8 and achieve xyz rent etc. etc.