It’s still a worthy strategy to force cash flow that’s rare to find in SoCal, especially if you can reduce the cost of construction by doing a conversion/using an ADU grant or even buying a property with an existing ADU In general, even if the ADU valuation matches your cost including grants, they are usually not worth it in southern CA in single family zones. 

Quote from @John Busch: Truly appreciate the multiple responses and look forward to continuing our communication as we live in Southern CA and do not have many contacts in that part of the county. 

A bit about me: I’m a real estate investor (my husband and I own a 4plex in Oakland, CA), and SBA loan broker.

Quote from @Paul Gupta: Hi, in California, For jobs requiring a license, there was CSLB (contractor state licensing board) which would give either a General Contractor license, or specialty licenses by trade (~60 specialties such as concrete, welding tile, ) https://www.cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/licensing_classific...My Q: does Maryland and DC area have similar requirements? 

Not so much ;)So now investors are feeling the weight of dog properties…be it higher interest rates, non paying tenants, property values falling, government intervention (especially in CA), etc.

If I were wildly successful in implementing any strategy, I would keep quiet about it and enjoy my life.It's like the tale about the gold miners in California during the Gold Rush of 1849:  the only ones who made real money were the ones selling the tools and supplies to the miners.  

Cheap properties in Milwaukee are fools gold (especially for OOS investors, people literally will scoff at a rough listing and then someone will say: eh, someone from CA will buy it..)

You’re absolutely right—LA is a tough but opportunity-rich market, and I’m putting in the groundwork to make the most of it.While I’m starting local in LA, my focus is expanding across California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington.

While none of these options allow for immediate cash flow on the property (we are on the northern CA coast) the ARMS would allow us to break even.

My tenants lease is due to end 2/2/2025, is it 30 day notice or 60 day notice of non renewal in CA?