If you want to make your proposition appealing to top agents, you could also have a CRM that does it all...

You'll likely want to pick an area that either targets a specific niche (think Arts District for culture travelers or Financial District for business travelers) or pick the tourist/convention centers such as South Park, near Staples Center.There are a lot of hotels planned Downtown and that are coming online and under construction make sure you understand hotel rates and have a value proposition to set you apart.best of luck!

The value proposition that you're buying is the blank-slate property (read: needs rehab) but by the time it's done you have a new roof, new kitchen, new ____ (insert 50 other things) and you can then turn it over to a property management partner that can get a tenant in there. 

I recently found myself a mentor and this how I did: "I am a novice REI, I have taken the basics of REI courses, have done extensive studying of my own and I would like to offer you a business proposition....."

In you opinions, is investing in rentals in this area generally a losing proposition?

There's loads of money to be made and saved in building green, the extra value-added proposition here is that it's good for our planet and our communities.  

However, as Mitch implied, it seems as if they certainly will not accept the proposition casually.

I actually read that the spread on retail gasoline is a losing proposition for gas stations (money loser)…maybe not in cali though.  

@Chris Clothier Thank you for taking the time to comment and articulate Memphis Invest's value proposition.  

All cash, quick close" was not the unique selling proposition they needed.