Still expensive, but it's $3k more in my pocket per year for now.This is just part of the current CA landscape.

I just wanted see if there was any other options that I wasn't aware of on how to possibly capture this as it will change my financial landscape.

Considering the ever-evolving landscape of Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations, What are the best 5 states in your opinion to build a STR portfolio starting today? 

Added some sweat equity to it as well with new paint, landscaping and other projects.

I would definitely recommend spending most of the money in renovations on the kitchen, bathroom, and exterior (siding, paint, landscape). 

As is price point.. this will give you a better long term outcome.if you buy way under median your getting into renter dominated neighborhoods and schools for sure will be bottom ranked.. instead of going East have you considered Vegas.. lowest prop tax's basically in the country. no big weather issues  desert landscape super simple to take care of.. and Stucco homes with tile roofs no big thunder and wind storms to ruin roofs etc etc.. you can buy nice rental house there is a solid B location for about 300k. just worth checking out if you never have..

In a 4 bedroom house we rent out in a nice area of Los Angeles a renter said he would re-landscape the backyard for just the cost of material.

If you do install any Cadet heaters though, for the love of god please pair them with the manual knob-style thermostats - the Cadet electronic programmable thermostats are maybe the single worst product I've purchased in my renovating life, and were replaced almost immediately after installing them.Doors and Trim. 

If the software is not simplifying your life or making you more accurate, you shouldn't use it.Software does have extremely helpful features like online payments, marketing syndication (click a button and your property is advertised on multiple sites), electronic document review/signing, maintenance tracking, and owner reports.

black top the driveway and trim the existing landscaping and paint the exterior and it will look great