Once you get through move in, the day to day management is pretty hands off and easy (famous last words, but so far, so good).Other than that, get a second opinion/eye from someone you trust - preferably a professional designer - on the furnishings and design.

If you hire a PM, usually from what I'm hearing, Padsplit PM charges about 8% and some just charge a $800 per month flat fee because it's relatively easy I guess.

These carriers are not profitable in CA and CA laws and regulations do not make it easy to mitigate these financial struggles. 

Low property prices evidence this.

Ask anyone who ever sold a business, even with great cash flow, it's not that easy to sell for a profit. 

hey @Matthew Toporowski, at the least I would check their financials/tax returns to see how profitable they are (which translates into how easy it will be to pay your rent).

wholesaling is definitely not an "easy" way to get into RE investing.

But a bedroom or a bathroom can be easily qualified in terms of dollars (I usually see $4,000-$5,000 allotted for differences in bed/bath count).Truthfully, if I can't find easy comps and if I can't make it easy for the appraiser to agree with the value I'm looking for, I just don't buy it.

Since it came directly above your apartment, I can assume the leak originated from your unit unless substantial evidence proves otherwise.

You don't know the area, have no ability to lay eyes on it yourself and it's not easy.