But it doesn't really seem like your home works well as a rental. 3400 sq. ft. is big.

I also would like to sit down with the person so local is preferred.I am now listening to Podcast 049 with Amanda Han, she seems great..

In a softer rental market like we seem to be in now, it becomes much more important to focus on the boring fundamentals like controlling expenses.

We will visit there once~twice a year and meanwhile we want to rent it out as short term rental. ( we are thinking of Florida and that market seems slow these days ) we are in CA. 

I will however have to disagree about the comment regarding a public adjuster being a door knocker - in fact, we very much discourage EVER go door knocking, and in some places (more and more it would seem) are making it illegal to do so. 

It seems to me (correct if I am wrong) that for the most part since the government is involved the rent is guaranteed..

The market here seems to have pretty solid fundamentals for MTR/Travel nurses. 

It seems like an LLC partnership would be the way to go for the apartment building.

I have good relations with the owner but they are extremely strict on this because if the deal gets out, they will be more overwhelmed with calls than they already are.I found a tenant who seems on the surface to be a good candidate.

If it seems the project will cashflow at that time, it's probably a safe bet.