Both offered up to $40k, 12-14% rate which is higher but not bad for an unsecured personal loan. 

With respect to paying $44k off on your HELOC, I personally think that is totally fine and a great start. 

these investors were all chasing easy OOS cash flow:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-expe...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1160450-run-i...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1010977-12-00...if you're serious on investing in an OOS market i'd pick one, get to know it, go to it in person, and build a team, and then determine what would you need to do to get a good return in that market. 

Offered to intern/work for him at half the pay as his personal assistant if he would teach me everything he knew.

This method is a little riskier and requires more work from the Property Manager. 

I personally recommend checking Columbus OH - lots of job growth, population growth, and major companies moving and developing here.

As a neighbor, personally I don't care if someone smoke a little weed every now and then, but if they are smoking non stop 25 times a day, you might lose a good tenant over that. 

If they are available online or in person.

I was wondering if there are any recommend in-person meetups in the LA area.

Without rent control i either raise their rent far above market rents so they give me notice (my preferred method) or i simply do not renew their lease.