It’s a cost, but it saves time and headaches.5.

Houses out here cost average $1.3M and rent for $4,000 per month. 

You have to include the cost of your time and the work, especially on a "scary house" is daunting indeed. 

==========================My relative is asking if this is a viable way to legally avoid having to pay taxes:STEP 1: SELL PRIMARY RESIDENCE (House A)-Sell primary residence to son-in-law for cost basis + $500K-File gift tax form for difference between sale price & market value-Not pay capital gains on $500K due to personal exemption.STEP 2: SELL RENTAL PROPERTIES-Do 1031 exchange and buy House A back from son-in-law-Rent out House A for 1 year before move back in==========================Thoughts?

You'll find that rental property investing isn't scary at all and a great property manager can actually save you more money than they will cost!

-save $1k+ in taxes and fees yearly-can use the savings to get more insurance and a higher liability than the value of house. for flipping houses in California does anyone just put into sole proprietor own name and just use the $1k+ in savings for LLC costs into Insurance or use for savingor am I just being too risky. 

I do not think it would cost too much to tone it down howeverI got a $10k quote (minus fees) from an interior decorator recently to redesign.

How much did the rehab cost and how long did it take to complete?

If they don't show up, projects get very delayed and become unprofitable, even costly.

I would highly encourage paying a GC to walk deals out the gate, have them give a scope of work so you can see what items costs.