Go to AirBNB app and research which areas have the most listings, that usually means that its a HOT area and if you run it right you can succeed.  

The stability of corporate life felt like a breath of fresh air.

Some loitering on corners/storesF - Open air drug market.

. - Acreage will continue to be a very hot commodity.

One option might be to explore adding air purifiers or filters directly into the system to help mitigate odors.

@Jason Wray, The reason that our shop is pretty hot about your post is two-fold, we do all of the things that you are implying that we don't (other than government loans, we don't work in that space). 

Then based on @Michael Baum's suggestion, I think I will have my cleaner and/or maintenance person do monthly/quarterly maintenance like using using enzyme based cleaners, grease fighting drain treatments and hot water flushing. 

Currently I am working in partnership on a luxury Air Bnb property in the Philippines to familiarize myself in short-term rentals.I live in Cerritos, CA and am looking to invest into a multi-family home to house-hack in Orange County, CA to get started.I will need a residential agent and possibly a contractor.I look forward to learning and hopefully working with you all!

Any tips for navigating the competition in such a hot market?

In the past two years we have completed over a dozen flips, We are holding 20 rental units self managed and 2 self managed Air BnBs.