My reply to your assertion that not everyone qualifies did not dispute that fact and was not intended to be a confrontational post...

This may entail calling a plumber and allowing them to cut into drywall to see if they can find the source.

Does this entail different financing options from a bank?

This asserts that all the lease information is correct. 

I'm a new landlord and I'm not sure how assertive I should be as a landlord.

From a tax advantage perspective, I wouldn't use any CA corp out of state since CA FTB will try to assert that any income that flows through your corp will be CA income and they will want a piece.

A full reno could entail new HVAC, new windows, opening up LR to Kitchen, creating a larger master with full bath and adding living space in the basement.  

@Eric Hempler , I've done both Syndications, which entails an equity partnership, and debt which is what you are describing.  

Plus we didn't have worldwide telecom infrastructure and later the internet that would facilitate outsourcing, so the labor market was more able to unionize and assert itself. 

However, these entail riskier properties, tenants, and investments.