In my experience credit unions are more flexible and tend to be more generous with terms.

@Brian Payne Yes, Jump right in is a strategy that has worked for many, however, I want to create an experience for them so I get repeat & referral business.

@Mateusz SkibaRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

@Cathy LiRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

I wish I had a referral but they aren't taking clients at the moment. 

One thing I’ve noticed is that the Midwest in general offers strong rental yields compared to coastal cities, where property values tend to be much higher but returns are slimmer.As for local networking, I'd suggest tapping into local real estate meetups, the local chamber of commerce or investor groups.

The community here tends to be really supportive, so don't be afraid to reach out if you need anything.

Same goes for number of LLCs and what to fund them with, since bear in mind that CA tends to be more cumbersome and expensive to have LLCs than other states.California is generally more cumbersome than other states when it comes to taxes and filings.

Being harder on the property means more intensive repairs & maintenance, particularly on a unit turn.3) If your focus is just cashflow, this may be a good strategy because the tenants tend to stay longer and the rent is backed by the government. 

While I tend to lean toward building rapport early, I also understand that not every seller needs or cares about that.That said, I do think there are some sellers who care about more than just the money, they want to feel appreciated or comfortable with who they’re selling to.