Make sure you’re approachable and responsive to tenant concerns to foster a good landlord-tenant relationship.Legal and Compliance Issues: Familiarize yourself with local landlord-tenant laws and ensure that you’re compliant with all regulations.

Then it was suddenly frozen one morning and, after an email to the address zillow provided, a voice message to the appropriate phone number, and a form filled out with exactly all the information they request, we get no response for almost a full business day.  

I know regulations change almost by the quarter so what is true now is probably different last year. 

Be sure to check local regulations regarding short-term rentals as well.

They are zoning and land use regulations, accessibility, environmental factors, market analysis, topography and terrain, utilities and services, neighbourhood characteristics, restrictions and opportunities, development feasibility, financial analysis etcetera.

And, do you have accurate and up-to-date bookkeeping records in place so you have the appropriate data at your fingertips to be able to make strategic decisions for each property?

I get that there are regulations by the municipal, but are they so strict that certain builds aren't allowed throughout a whole state?

This means having appropriate insurance, executing contracts with vendors/subcontractors and ensuring you are listed as an additional insured (not just  a certificate holder) on their insurance policies.

Short term regulations are becoming more and more restrictive here so we are looking to purchase outside LA County and invest in Riverside, Ventura and/or San Diego county.

Lender options vary by state due to state regulations- these type of programs are available in many states.