In business, references and jobs done also help too.Handymen per CSLB are prohibited from taking on projects that are more than $500, unless they can either break the project down into smaller job or risk going to jail -especially if they furnished something recordable (ie, a phone conversation or in writing) in violation of this fundamental CA rule governing construction.So yes I do agree CA handymen should never quote a client anything more than $500/materials+labor per particular job unless they don't care about building a career towards being a licensed contractor honestly and dont care if they end up being criminally charged for it.As for a family member and/or close friend I would expect handymen in CA to obviously work out 'less than armlength' ways to help them with big jobs that do exceeed $500/project but not leave an obviously incriminating papertrail afterall its family you're dealing with anyway and nevertheless as a handyman (and likely brother, cousin, in-law etc) until one day you are a licensed contractor then can quote as much as you want per project.I'm tired and done with CA handymen masquerading as contractors, quoting contractor prices, yet not having even liability insurance that licensed contractors are required to have. 

My question for group is, has anyone considered a strategy like this for themselves, how did it work out, any creative ways to get the money out as withdrawal (syndications to negate tax loss, active property, 72t distributions.

How would I go about finding someone to help run these out of area leads and we could work out some sort of split if they could lock up the property and find it an end Buyer.

I strongly suggest adopting multiple investment strategies as a safety net in case a single short-term rental (STR) approach doesn't work out.

It might work out for you.

The buyer is using the "sellers money" from the fabricated price, and the buyer was able to do this because her loan amount was approved higher than our firm price. 

We try to work out payment plans with tenants and are mildly successfulWhat are some rules and trends you have regarding rent collection?

I am also nervous about my move to the DC area wont work out and I will have this house as an option in case I want to return to the bay area and will never be able purchase a similar home if I sell it.

I am also going to talk to more of my family and friends to see if I could potentially work out a partnership.

Use this experience to work out the kinks and build a strong boots on the ground team.