For the info on vacation rental ordinances for Joshua Tree and area of surrounding communities known as the Morongo Basin and the Joshua Tree Gateway Comunities check the Joshua Tree Vacation Rentals Association page http://www.JoshuaTreeVRA.com 

The young guys are briefed that a snipe is a pretty mean animal that lives in the trees.

I don't have the full list of what needs to be done right in front of me but I can give you the short rundown: (house is about 900 sq. ft.)Roof needs to be torn off (3 layers on already) and a new one laid onSiding needs replaced (this neighborhood has siding done in a way that I haven't seen before; on a lot of houses one side is done in wood planks about a foot wide and the other three are vinyl siding).Ceiling had some water damage in two rooms and there are some cracks that need to be fixed.The flooring has to go entirely (carpet and kitchen tile).Kitchen cabinets are in pretty sorry shape, planning on replacing them.New kitchen appliances (none in the house)Landscaping work, possibly getting rid of a cluster of small trees that are blocking off one corner of the house with no benefitWhen I get home I can provide the full list with what we were estimating for each item.

hard money lenders (Quicken loans, Lending Tree, etc...), family, friends, personal loan (I just did this one), partners. 

house a) beautiful, wide tree-lined street with big, established houses, drs/lawyers and executives as neighbors...quiet street very close to a hot downtown area, highly desirable area near great restaurants, walk to riverfront parks, walk to train to NYC.

Tree Corners as well as far as crime is concerned.  

Some of the biggest expenses were roof, windows, new driveway and tree removal.  

The tenant called because the toilet wouldn't flush/drain due to tree roots clogging the sewer line.The plumber tried to clear the clog without removing the toilet, but couldn't reach the clog. 

There's a lot of stuff built around this lot, but the lot itself is just a bunch of trees that would need to be cleared away before there would be enough room to so much as pitch a tent.

I'm of the mindset if money is growing on trees in another city, there are plenty of locals there to pick it and leave you the scraps that none of them wanted in the first place.