Virtually everyone lives somewhere especially true for those that pay taxes (in CA property and income tax).  

I'm in the metroplex/dfw so definitely good and virtually no vacancies as far as when they're turned That’s good that’s good

These loan types allow you to do up to 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the renovations financed as long as you meet experience, credit, and LTC/ LTARV requirements based on an appraisal or virtual inspection.

Having reasonable expectations, hiring a local professional (Realtor or PM), doing your research, and doing everything right (i.e. pro photos, professional design, good renovation, proper amenities and location, etc) are the keys to success in 2025.

All my properties are paid off, I did try to go the rout of hiring a property manager (two actually) and it was sooo bad.

Looking forward to meeting you all virtually sometime, or in person on a visit to PT. 

I also use their virtual credit cards which enables me to assign a card to a specific person, like the cleaner for my STR for example, so when she runs a charge, it automatically drops into the right account in terms of categorizing my expenses.

Building can be risky if you don't know what you are doing and who you are hiring.

Before we sold it we hired a management company to reduce the burden, but even then we decided to sell and walk away. 

@Brice Alef-Torrisi putting each property in its own LLC is usually overkill.Getting a bank account for each LLC is typically something you need to do to avoid "piercing of the LLC corporate veil" (actually depends on tax selection you made for LLC), but is also overkill.You haven't indicated how you are holding the deed for the latest property.If in your name or same LLC, you don't need a separate bank account.If in separate LLC, you can create a Master LLC, have each property LLC hire the Master LLC to manage their affairs, and just get a bank account for Master LLC.This is an opinion, not advice, so lookup CPA Frank Alcini in Troy for expert advice.