I haven't used them before, but Robert Hall & Associates based in Glendale, CA is a real estate investor-specific accounting firm that has a strong presence in the Greater LA area among investors. 

Sounds like your territory is more in the burbs, and commuting here can be a PITA, so your best bet is to come here and get the lay of the land and then decide on where you want to live.  

I borrow a friends RV and pay $550 a month for the RV spot in Houston.I want to downsize my living space, and maintain a presence in DFW although I work in Houston.In DFW, I am debating on 1) selling my home and buying something smaller or 2) keeping my home(good location) and turn it into a rental, and buy something  smaller with less upkeep.

It's important that you dont use central heat because that could spread mold throughout the home.It’s important to clean immediately because the presence of mold can make a house legally uninhabitable.

at a liquor store and a manager at a bank (who owns a house in Bay View) said that the hood was on the up:  less crime, more police presence and more nicer businesses going in. 

So you are at risk every 5 years for interest rate hikes.Insurance takes you into Business Owner Policy territory instead of just NOO investor property.

Many Tax Assessment offices have an internet presence so you can enter the address and instantly see what the property has been assessed at.

I hate the cliches, but this is the exact target audience we want to reach and taking extra time to build an online presence before marketing has really paid off.

Why I am going into REI, my price range, my niche, my financing strategy, as well as finding a mentor and developing a marketing plan and exit strategy.I keep hearing over and over to go look at 100 houses, basically meaning to look at all the houses in my territory to get a beat on the market.I did a tour of about 10 with a realtor, which was nice because she was able to get me inside the houses and tell me some things I didn't know.However, I don't want to make her drive me around to 100 houses while I just chalk it up to learning.

The inspector said it wasn't a hazard, even though there was peeling paint.Because I hired an inspector though, I now am legally obligated to disclose the presence of LBP to every tenant I rent to.