In my experience, once it gets to the no communication stage it usually never works out

I'm hoping everything continues so I can return to let everyone know about my first experience using a hard money lender. 

What skill sets and experiences have you drawn from? 

(which I like) so I would like someone with local experience rather than be the farthest flung property for a city-focused PM (if they'd even do it) and potentially become neglected or incur higher costs because of distance and/or unfamiliarity.A little help?

This is because most DSCR lenders typically require a minimum of 12 months' real estate ownership experience before considering you for 30-year debt options.

I would add....does your partner have rei experience?

I see you just started investing in Los Angeles, did you have prior experience flipping before these two houses?

There is a lot that you don't know, but house hacking and managing the property yourself will give you that step, not leap, into property management where the mistakes you make will come with far smaller dollar signs and very valuable learning experiences.....and of course, you keep you hard earned rent in your pocket which will only help you moving forward.

Has anyone gone through this or have any related experience? 

Contractors experience gives us insight where to look etc.