im looking to get into a house hack in either there or venice, or even palmetto, still just looking but would like to be educated when i do decide to make the move, any tips are appreciated, also if you need any help let me know!

If they do it outside and do it recreationally and not in absurd quantities, it will air out in minutes. 

Any tips on finding reliable professionals in my area?

@Chris Kay finding a quality, cost-effective contractor is extremely difficult:(There are thousands of contractors that are great talkers, but rarely perform within budget.Standard bait & switch is to lowball a bid, then once they get started all sorts of things "pop up" that somehow their bid didn't cover.

You want the highest quality tenant as possible & those two intangibles we find makes a difference. 

Limited labor and resources : Unlike the catastrophic fires in Lahaina Hawaii there are significant resources in Los Angeles to contribute to recover, but quality contractors, tradesman, plumbers, electricians and laborers have long been in short supply.

I used the radiator key to let the air out and 10 mins later the radiator was hot.

Do you have tips for structuring short-term leases that protect me as a landlord while accommodating their needs?

What you can't do remote is get a sense for the neighborhood and asset quality.

Some key qualities to look for include:- **Responsive communication**: A PM company that keeps you in the loop and addresses issues promptly- **Local expertise**: Knowledge of the Birmingham market and experience with Section 8 tenants.- **Proactive maintenance**: Regular inspections and quick resolution of maintenance issues to keep tenants happy and properties in good condition- **Transparent reporting**: Clear and detailed financial reports so you know exactly where your money is goingIf your current PM isn’t meeting these standards, it might be worth exploring other options.