My inspector emails me the report and then I dive in and do the heavy reading.

@Spencer Cornelia I just listened to your podcast episode two days ago and read through your 6 part series.

I've been listening to a lot of the podcast episodes and have been doing some reading as well.I'm very happy to get general input and advice, but I also have a few specific questions.- I've read about A, B, C, and D class properties. 

After only reading your subject line, I was curious why you were targeting Canadians.

I was able to look up the life estate deed from the appraisers office and read it.

@Chantelle LewisRecommend exploring as many sources as possible to get referrals AND cross-reference them to get as much accurate information as possible.Check out NARPM.com, BP’s Property Manager Finder (BiggerPockets: The Real Estate Investing Social Network), etc.Also, encourage you to learn from the mistakes of others - by reading posts here on BiggerPockets about owners not having their expectations met by their current Property Management Company.

Read my book.2.

You can also search Google and read reviews.

One thing to consider is that in terms of wealth building and Kiyosaki's Cashflow Quadrant, owing a rental and doing work yourself is putting you in the self-employed quadrant, not Business Owner or Investor.I think there are a lot of factors stacked against California for long term rentals, and I think you know it too! 

I am currently employed as a project engineer working for a GC that builds multi-family projects.