You can take some risk and get an easy 10% (buy a rental off the MLS)... or you can invest some time and inherit more risk (buy directly from sellers or distressed properties with unknown issues) and get even higher.What are you comfortable with?

The other issue is condos built prior to 1978 in Los Angeles are likely subject to LA Rent Control.

Markets like Reno, NV and to some extent Vegas will continue to have housing supply issues that will drive appreciation and increase rents.

Today, I hate it,  especially for the issues you cited above. 

I'm clearly not the only one having this issue.

I have done some Google research and articles point out concern for not being able to see the decking and determine if there are issues and fix them. 

Before diving in, it's crucial to grasp the basic types of real estate investments:Residential Properties: Investing in homes where people live, ranging from single-family homes to multi-unit apartments.Commercial Real Estate: Involves properties used for business purposes, such as offices, retail spaces, and warehouses.Industrial Real Estate: Includes manufacturing buildings, storage units, and distribution centers.Land: Buying undeveloped land with the prospect of future development or resale.Step-by-Step Guide to Starting in Real Estate InvestingStep 1: Education and ResearchThe foundation of successful real estate investing lies in understanding market trends, property valuation, and the economic factors influencing real estate prices.

Would you rather be left a retirement account with a $1million in it with required minimum distributions that are added on top of your regular income.

HI BP,I've been thinking about what to ask from tenants in case of issues...besides a copy of their gov't ID (Drivers or passport), credit report stating full name, address and birthday, what else do you all typically ask for?

Now if your agent isn't providing you good deals and is giving you inaccurate numbers then that's an issue that you shouldn't have to deal with.