I like to look at things from a neutral perspective and source where the information is coming from before making a judgment. 

Title companies are dis-interested and neutral 3rd parties that handle funds and title issues during a transaction. 

It has been transitioning, but it's still going to be important to make sure there aren't any problem houses immediately adjacent.At that price you should be able to be just above cash neutral, at least for the first 5 years assuming everything was done correctly.What I don't like about that property is the fact that you're paying retail price.

An ocean view is even more of a neutral luxury, adding no real value or comfort to your unit.

Paint color will most likely be some sort of a neutral gray on the walls with white trim and ceilings.

Just be sure to say builders grade which is not any custon work ..formica counter tops , plain porcelain title , prefab cabinets, laminate floring , neutral colors ... you get the idea .. one why to really increase your profits on rehabs is to have a contractor do the major repairs and you or a handyman tackle the easy stuff .. laminate floors can be quite easy to install if your floors are level and trim is not installed yet .. painting can be done by a handyman ..tile work can be done also ..in some cases and some states these need to be done by a licensed contractor and permits need to be pulled .. it is different by each state .. if i saw that house with those pics, i would think your looking at at least $75-100k in rehab ( taking into consideration of Ca. higher construction costs ) it looks more like $35-50 in rehab here in Fl.

The state of CA can look good by claiming neutrality and leaving it up to the local city governments to decide.Many local governments (LA & Garcetti aside) know that rent control will not alleviate the housing crisis nor do they wish to alienate their investor constituents that are against rent control measures in any form.Many studies have shown that rent control does not work and only degrades neighborhoods as landlords defer maintenance and improvements.   

. ($500,000 / $100,000) * .16 = 80% ROI, which is a little better than 12% per year.Now the big caveat is that all of this assumes neutral cash flow.

It's never a safe bet to make a play on purely appreciation, but the goal would be finding something that could be cash flow neutral once we move out of the property.

All, Im having an electrical issue in a rental and the power could be down for days (The service drop from the point of attachment to the meter base is damaged in 2 locations from squirrels chewing neutral.