You do not want to refinance relinquished property shortly before you sell it in an exchange.As a general rule, the IRS will take issue when a taxpayer refinances and strips equity out of a relinquished property shortly before selling it in an exchange.  

One issue was a slow draining bathroom sink which I called my warranty service provider to snake at no cost.

Assuming its properly marketed, price is almost always the issue.

I have done things with attorneys, CPAs, stock brokers, insurance brokers and others successful in business.General business knowledge, understanding of financing requirements, knowing property valuations, maturity in personal financial matters to give general advice, understanding of the foreclosure process, legal aspects as to liability in leading someone into financial matters, fully understanding fraud issues and the differences in a general matter where fraud might be applied as generally thought of and what may constitute bank fraud causing or even attempting to cause a loss to an insured bank having different standards.

Augustine Beach has tight rental restrictions and have issued just 100 "Transient Rental Licenses" which, of course, are all gone.

I tried to correct the issue online and by the phone but no success.

Wetlands, underground oil storage tanks, easements, contaminates of other kinds and a host of other issues could exit.

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.

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