It's best to invest in a company/fund that does this for you. 

Which companies did you choose?

Check out the Events and Meet Ups section for local events in your area.

Also any tips for automating this as much as possible and how to protect the property financially and property management would be appreciated.I ALMOST understand the rental arbitrage strategy if building a company scaling with say 30 + units and looking for high short term cash flow.  

Are you focusing on local investments within LA County, or are you considering opportunities outside the area as well?

In those cases, the title company guided us on the necessary steps to resolve the title issues, and we did whatever was required to close the deal.

Real estate is so localized that most federal based policy changes don't have massive influence.I can see him (semi-)privatizing Freddie/Fannie.

.✅ Hands-On Experience – If you plan to grow your real estate portfolio, managing tenants yourself can teach you valuable lessons about leases, maintenance, and local rental laws.✅ More Control – You’ll personally handle tenant screening, rent collection, and property upkeep, ensuring everything is done to your standards.✅ Stronger Tenant Relationships – Being involved directly allows you to build rapport with your tenants, which can lead to better communication and longer leases.Cons of Self-Managing❌ Time-Consuming – Dealing with maintenance requests, late-night emergencies, and tenant disputes can quickly become a second job.❌ Legal Risks – Chicago has strict landlord-tenant laws.

We don't even a Board yet (it's a new build), and it's all being coordinated by the HOA management company for the building.The developer offered to make the new door key fobbed on each side for entry, and would install a new security camera. 

I would visit local meetups for real estate investing, and also network with agents in your area that work with a lot of investors.