Get a gander at your competition and see what they are offering and take it up a notch.You might check Fiverr or TaskRabbit (not sure for interior designer) and see who is out there.They should be able to help you out remotely and without spending a ton of dough.

Additionally, for the AR llc, do I need to register the LLC in California as a foreign company?

Insurance doesn't cover anything anymore and we can almost just pay for all damages with the money we spend on it! 

You can spend your time in worse ways, like watching some silly movie. 

Here's an article with additional FAQs on cost segregation studies that you may find helpful.

Additionally, it's easy for a house on one lease to get absolutely trashed by the renter.

If you are able to manage it yourself, I think you will get a lot of very helpful education in real estate by spending a least a year or two doing that.You'll be able to work with property managers a lot better if you've done the work yourself for a bit, and it also helps to get familiar with the various laws and regulations you have to comply with as the owner, even if you do have a property manager in place (e.g., the new RI rental registry and associated lead paint inspections/certificates).It's up to you whether you're able to do it, but I think you'll get a lot out of the experience if you can try it for a year or two.

It sounds like you’ve got a solid foundation with your rental property, and I love the ambition behind your plans to build a property management and maintenance company—it’s a great way to take control of your investments while creating additional opportunities.Best of luck to you! 

I’m based out of Lehi, Utah, and have always been fascinated by the potential of real estate to create opportunities and build wealth.After spending time learning about the industry and what it takes to succeed, I’m ready to dive in and start making deals happen!

Whether the seller was open to a buyer commission or not, I wouldn't put an additional cost into any personal purchase.