Without those, it's impossible to determine the appropriate next steps...

Cash flow positive rentals are just about impossible.  

Well just like everything else in life, Nothing is impossible and if you work hard enough and know some people you can get anything!

I live in LA and it's next to impossible.

You again reinvest.This process, repeated over 20 years, will get you to just over $240,000 per year in passive cashflow, your stated goal, but doesn't require you to achieve the near impossible feat of generating $1,000 per month in your first year.  

This is a strategy that is very hard if not impossible to truly make happen.  

I think it is impossible without the "boots on the ground".  

Difficult or impossible to verify application items.

Without knowing what type "lien" you are referring to (or a hint by what person or company is pitching such a concept to you) it's pretty impossible for us to guess how to direct you.

That being said, it's not impossible to work these types of wholesale deals providing you can get a good enough deal from the bank and have funding set up to show the bank when you place your bid.