Working for a property manager, managing VRBO’s, relocation for retirees or possibly estate sales and clean-outs would provide income while putting yourself in a place to find really good deals.These sound like dead ends to some but becoming reputable and available is a great way to generate good deals.

On a c or d class asset I’d keep em if they are in good condition however I would clean and paint them with fresh paint to jazz up the appearance .

My thoughts on your situation are borderline political but I’ll try to keep it clean.

After cleaning up the properties, the rents can be raised further.

I also had a phone meeting with the original owner / broker of patch of land and their stated mission was high rates possible and I explained to him that will put you in very high risk projects not to mention if your doing this in NJ and other states that take forever to prosecute a foreclosure your going to get your clock cleaned and I suspect this is what we will see.. just a suspicion on my part .. but it was amazing..

Could clean up the yard and to some routine maintenance on the inside and re-list with a local realtor?  

Then I require a double deposit, plus an additional fee to cover a mandatory, professional cleaning after departure.

All of my clean and overbid offers were declined.

Do you clean and cook meals and mow the grass etc?

Another thing to consider is that I live in Northern California so I would need to find a reliable cleaning crew / handyman to have on deck.Any tips from people who have STR experience in LA would be greatly appreciated.