What town or area is it in?

If you're not licensed in an area and your advice is outside your expertise, you can put your license at risk. 

We have one right now finishing up, high end small custom> 95% return cash on cash, bought land retail 2.5yrs ago (peak). $1.7M costs, $2.25M completed value.

Short-term rentals are often regulated by the city and limited to certain areas.

I am having a hard time in my area with lenders understanding what I am trying to do.

I’m new to the area and in the process of purchasing my first rental property.

Not only am I in Los Angeles but the area I am limited to is one of the more expensive in the city. 

Check the in person events and meetups in your local area, our online community is full of knowledge and folks willing to share and still nothing replaces the opportunity to interact IRL, you never know who you will meet and where that can take you on your REI journey. 

Mortgage is around $3500/$3600 (with modification), and has little to no equity...rents in the area are around $3100.

Beautiful area.