Here are the "simple things" that I did to add value:- updating a 50's era bathroom.

This is a 1970's era duplex, identical to the one I currently own.

I live in San Diego and cash-flowed 3-4k per month in July and August in my tiny 450 SF studio apartment with 80's-era appliances.  

Hey Anu,I do out of state investing and live very close in Los Feliz.

It's one thing to have an office in Los Angeles and another in San Diego... but it's something else entirely to have an "office" in Los Feliz, Woodland Hills, Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale (all part of Los Angeles Metropolitan Area for those who aren't familiar with those barrios).

The process was initiated in December, 2010 and really fell in our laps (friend of a tenant was referred, had a voucher ready to go, and we had a 3brdm house open and ready).Now- I assume the holidays caused some of the delay, but we started paperwork about Dec 10...had them negotiate the rent down about Dec 15th, and schedule the inspection.The inspection had one or two minor items (this is a 1920's era house, so had to install railings on the front and rear steps).

Ended up moving east to Los Feliz.

Its full of 60's-era block multifamily units, and surrounded by C&B grade apartments, starter condos, and some SFR's.  

@Freddie Lawson thanks for the support and advice@Natasha Marano will do and thanks@Tony Sera I used gobigprinting.com you do have to enter the site using one of their partners(gurus)..Its on the top menu bar.

So we 'helped' move all his belongings to the storage area we have on-site & then gutted the horrible 70's era, heavily 'smoked in' unit to the studs.