If they have any rules about short-term vs. long-term rentals, you’ll want to know upfront to avoid headaches.Also, keep an eye on tax implications – renting while living there can open up some sweet deductions. :) Sounds like you're setting yourself up for success!

I'm happy to connect with you and assist you in being eyes on the ground in the area for you.

Long term rentals are unattractive in CA imo especially since you can earn a lot more with different rental strategies even doing mid term rentals will still probably be more profitable than doing a long term rental.As far as hiring a contractor or bringing in subs for each item that will come down to how much you want to be involved, you'll save money finding and subbing out individual jobs but it will take you longer and you will need to manage everyone you hire and contract to do business with whereas a contractor will manage all that for you but there will be a premium put onto the price obviously for that. 

I’m a beginning investor and am trying to wrap my head around the tax benefits involved with real estate.  

Keep and eye on the American Families Tax Relief Act. 

Any shifts in buyer demand, renovation costs, or financing that I should keep an eye on?

The only thing crashing are the ones not getting involved in this market, a lot of money to be made!

DSCR loans don't require personal income verification or a debt-to-income ratio, making them ideal for properties with strong cash flow, even if the current owner has credit issues.Here's how it could work:You could use a DSCR loan to refinance the hard money loan, securing more favorable terms without having to involve the seller's credit.Since the rental income easily covers the property’s debt service, you’ll be in a good position for lender approval, bypassing the conventional mortgage route.This approach could allow the owner to stay in the house, while you take over financing with a less restrictive structure.

Keep an eye on that house and see what it sells for a month (or months) later.

While previous offers were rejected, this latest proposal has prompted the company to reassess its options.In conjunction with these closures, Seven & I has announced a $520 million sale-leaseback transaction involving several 7-Eleven locations and plans to create a spinoff for its non-convenience store operations.