My Vrbo account manager also said offering a 10% weekly discount helps.

Investors like security, so the more clarity you can provide, the better.If you need help with structuring the deal or reviewing terms, feel free to reach out.

We advertised it as a "bonus room/ office" and I think that helped attract the right applicants (they were not expecting a 3 bedroom apartment and then arriving to find out it was only 2 beds with an awkward bonus room).  

Helps establish authority and trust in highly competitive markets. 2.

BP has various tools to help you analyze your deals (rentals, flips, wholesale, etc). : https://www.biggerpockets.com/investment-calculators7.

It really depends on what goals you are trying to accomplish and the type of housing you are looking.My partner and I have our own construction companies that we work together and we've been helping clients to renovate to either flip or rentals.

I could be wrong, but I think the purpose of this forum isn't for CPAs to fight and throw out IRS Pubs and Regs (although, these are helpful) to impress everyone. 

Within 12-18 months you should see a positive return helping you get back to the $1500 cash flow you're used to. 

I'll hit two things real quick and hopefully they help.

It also is helpful to have a California LLC in case you ever sell that property and move into another state so that you do not need to form a new LLC altogether with new operating agreement, just re-register in the new state as a new foreign LLC.