So a family from another country comes in and mom and dad run the office - daughters are the maids, son and dad do the repair work, oldest son or daughter going to college is the night manager, etc.Further, they reach agreement with the bigger motels in the area to refer customers to them when the bigger motels are booked to capacity.   

Remember, they can always refer themselves😊Now, make it a goal to call at least 5-10 of these people EVERY day and ask a MAX OF THREE off the list below of who do they know that:Just inherited a homeHad a loved one pass awayIs behind on their mortgage or tax paymentsHas a relative that can’t take care of their house anymoreHas a house they’re having trouble sellingIs facing bankruptcyKnows a probate attorneyKnows a bankruptcy attorneyetcWhy only three off the list per contact?

And while rents have increased since the fires, they are still relatively low compared to purchase costs and debt servicing at today's rates.Now, currently legislation proposals on SALT limits may change the math if you fall into the itemized tax deduction category, but that shouldn't be a deciding factor. 

You should graciously accept her offer to help, encourage her if she wants to jump into something like this full time (she might just be trying it out with you), let her use whatever she helped you with as part of her portfolio starting out, and if she's amenable to it give out her contact info to others looking for the same service and offer to be an excellent reference. 

When sellers install a second layer of a new roof over an existing roof, they still refer to it as a new roof.  

And if you just refer to yourself as the property manager, you can play the "landlord says...".

One thought: why couldn't the PM keep the funds in a high yield savings account and then buy the boats or nice items?

When they leave, they are going to need a good landlord reference for the next place.  

The first lie, that rent control is a NEED item. 

A bad one can destroy your investment.Vetting Questions: Ask about their eviction rates, average vacancy periods, tenant screening process, how they handle repairs (their network, costs, approval process), fee structure (all-inclusive vs. a la carte), and ask for references from other out-of-state clients.Real Estate Agent: You need an investor-friendly agent who understands your goals, knows the local submarkets well, and ideally works with other remote investors.Contractors: Having reliable handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc., is crucial.