It makes lead management way more efficient since they get to focus on people who actually want to do business. 

The best way to think about it is you're in the business of renting a property-that business isn't operational until it's ready and available for rent (aka in service). 

Even if you create a non-CA LLC, if you are managing the business from California, you will likely be deemed to be "doing business" in California and therefore likely subject to CA taxes.

Just because the costs might be in the furture does not warrant not budgeting for those known expensesThen there is the misc costs of asset protection, bookkeeping, unexpected utilities (such as between tenants (tenant turn over) or failure not attributable to the tenant such as slab leak).  

That's why I would never had a business partner.

Yes, this is "tough love", but you won't survive in this business if you let it affect you:)

Business Growth: As I’m focusing on multifamily, industrial, and retail assets, any advice on how to position my company to stand out in a competitive market?

I am in the business to make money .Plain and simple . 

Same principles apply - being busy will create opportunity. 

When I asked for a loan, they asked if my business received money in Euros.