If you don't do work yourself, is labor to install categorized differently? 

., the roofers, the fireplace repair crew, and the carpet installers), there were numerous instances when Bildwise and its subcontractors did not complete tasks in a workmanlike manner.

I've been hit up by a couple of companies to do rental arbitrage so that they can do STR themselves - but I'm not sure how to properly vet them out and make sure they're legitimate.

Once those answers are in mind, find the proper bed/bath number count that fits your guest avatar. 

You may want to request the construction drawings / plans for the utilities that were installed to help better understand their impact to your property. 

If the gains are properly calculated, which you're not doing, even in a worst-case scenario of poor appreciation, what I outlined is going to achieve a total return roughly equal to stocks or bonds.So you're assuming the Compton house rents for $3500--given, we don't know how many bedrooms it has, what condition it is, or whether the landlord has been able to keep up with market in spite of rent control, but that's top of the market for a home that has 2-3 bedrooms and probably isn't the Taj Mahal.

@Tom Server Be sure you give the proper notice before the first increased payment is due.

I just designed and finished installing a 1314 sq foot home.

May not have as much cash flow but equity would be there.Also you make your money on the overall management of the asset, from the due diligence from the beginning through proper management and exit.I also agree that there are properties that I have had people want to give me and i have said no.

Take ownership of your mistake and learn to do the proper due diligence recommended above😊