California law says that a host must disclose a death to guests? 

@Alexander Merritt   IMHO low end rentals are only suitable for local investors that are in the landlord business and are going to scale up and own as many as they can get 100's have your own PM and maintenance and that's the ONLY way in my mind that stuff will work over any amount of time.buy the best that you can if your just starting out.

Also, are you local to either market? 

I would like to get some local networking going here in Sioux Falls, SD.

In many cases they can recommend a good local property management company and contractors.

Sounds like another example of RE being local.

I saw the following post locally in NE Georgia, where 1/2 raw lots go from 15 to 50k.

I made some nice curb appeal improvements, added parking spot rentals, added the U-haul dealer, improved internet presence, advertised in local papers and are affiliated with MySpareFoot.

I am a local lender here in Miami.

These guys manage remotely and use your team of local repair guys for a super affordable price.