They live in a semi HCOL area called Torrance (house is in a good zip code 90503).

Getting Fair deals on labor and repairs comes from developing win/win relationships with contractors.

This simple update has big implications for property owners, allowing small repairs and maintenance to be handled more quickly and affordably.

I just closed today on the sale of the second house and have ended the nightmare!

Try to arrange for an “open house” day for buyers to walk through with contractors and eliminate inspection problems/delays. 

I have done some deals that barely have a little positive cash flow in neighborhoods that I know very well and know that the house should appreciate well and that I will have no problem always finding great tenants.Hope all this helps.

My favorite ones (as a Contractor) are those like : "How much will it cost to re-wire my entire house?"....."...

We are not familiar with any of these markets, nor do we have anyone trustworthy there, or a real estate agent.Our approach would be both rental and house flipping.

Can't get housing?

While I own a house in Canada, which has been my only investment so far, I am eager to diversify my portfolio and begin investing in real estate in the USA.