Anthony,From what I have seen the best house hack for a multi family are often times the complexes that you personally wouldn't live in, in the LA area.

http://www.har.com/content/newsroomHouston Real Estate Milestones in December Single-family home sales fell 9.4 percent compared to December 2014, marking the third consecutive monthly decline;Total property sales dropped 9.9 percent (6,988 units);Total dollar volume decreased 10.9 percent to $1.8 billion;At $216,000, the single-family home median price achieved a December high;Single-family homes months of inventory climbed to a 3.2-months supply versus 2.5 months a year earlier;Townhomes/condominium sales dropped 2.9 percent with the average price down 14.6 percent to $197,904 and the median price up 1.2 percent to $159,900;Leases of single-family homes rose 2.9 percent with rents flat at $1,710;Leases of townhomes/condominiums declined 3.6 percent with rents down 3.1 percent at $1,459.

Just do your homework first.Apartment repositioning is when you purchase a complex that is under preforming in some or all areas.

If carpet in the bedrooms and living areas wasn't the best overall, most economical choice, why would the big apartment complexes still use it. 

This plan doesn't need to be overly complex.

Some things are complex, others are complicated.  

In addition, you could add small canopy's to the top of the windows for aesthetics and also as a sun block.Through both you will get alignment of the windows, some vegetation or color from the flower beds, and added aesthetics for a relatively cost efficient price.I agree with @Gilbert that earth tones might work really well with this very low rise complex particularly since you're wanting to avoid installing grass.

Disclaimer - Not legal advice....Even if it is possible to invest via a LTD or PVT LTD, it is likely to raise eyebrows and introduce unnecessary complexities into the deal. 

It generally works itself out but it adds a layer of complexity that is less in a single family home: Negotiating a good neighbor fence with the property owner of the rental house next door can be a pain, but, (short of an aggressive s dog in one yard or the other), it is generally less intense than a neibor's bathtub leaking into your unit, or vice versa.

I want to build or buy a large apartment complex where rent can be very affordable but have a nice place.