A few warnings though just to paint a complete picture, you will not likely see full LA appreciation in rent or prices there (but perhaps still better than out of state), you need to "cherry pick" the better neighborhoods to avoid the really rough stuff (especially on the East Side) and make sure you get in where you are willing and able to stay in because this area tends to get hit harder than others in a downturn.

With 20/20 hindsight regulators and plaintiff's attorneys paint targets on these individuals through rescission rights or other legal techniques-They train sponsors to source money through other active investors which inevitably leads to squabbling and a loss of control.  

I painted the exterior New year day while others were recovering from partying.

I do have my residential real estate license which I got directly after college and of course never used :)-It's's now expired....also I did buy my first house over 3 years ago when I was 25 years old.  2 years later I sold it for an 18k net profit (all I did was paint everything else was in great shape). 

A Handy man can repair and paint in short amount of time..It's a shock when you see damage caused by a tenant, but it's part of the business...

I think I will continue to fix major things and the exterior while they are there so that when they do leave, I can do a quick turnaround with interior cosmetics like drywall repair, paint and flooring.

It seems like for paint and small repairs I would be best off to just use cash.

For instance, the landlord gave them verbal permission to paint the unit.

Sort of a paint by numbers for beginners.

Maybe start wearing dirty sneakers and jeans with paint on them when getting quotes and bringing your car in for service, see how that goes. ...just playfully thinking out loud here...Just curious, what is the year, make and model of your car you referenced about the brake repair?