Under bidding, poor quality, not following timelines - those will all kill your project.

But I also sometimes think owning only 1 property in LA would be less stressful and a more reasonable mortgage payment would improve my quality of life.

Dayton could be a good alternative, offering similar price points.To narrow your options further, consider factors like population and job growth, cash flow potential, and the quality of neighborhoods you’d feel comfortable investing in.

Are their listings detailed with good quality photos?

This attracts a higher-quality renter, ensures funds are available to maintain the home, and reduces the risk of major losses.

If you don’t have one already, try adding a video or virtual tour to attract more interest.Make sure your photos are high-quality and show the best features of the home.

Then, having covered my base, I'd try to differentiate myself, by having the best located property, the best quality property (given the price of course) and offer the best experience.

Best way to find cohosting gigs is to look for properties that should be performing well based on their location and quality of furnishings or amenities but cannot seem to get good reviews.

Other factors such as the quality of the tenant, and location will also determine the value you can get.

A lot of people will pay $1200/nt for 4 crappy budget motel 6 quality rooms at the All-Star resort rather than $175/nt for an 8br themed out mansion with a private pool, theater, and $30,000 arcade room.To answer your original question on investing over a long-term period, that is really this market's main strength.