I’ve bought multiple short sales. 

If not, are there alternatives (short of moving to Texas) that I should consider?

Short REITs such as avalon that have large exposure to markets such as SF Seattle and NYC where rents went up so high to drive people to purchase but developers kept permittingNote analysis does not apply to sfh and non top 10 metro.

In short, it's not worth it unless you have a very strong argument for the City's Zoning Board.

New Braunfels, TX tightens up on Short Term Rentals

I hear ya, and the commute from Brentwood to LAX/Inglewood is considered really short for LA.

If the money in that account isn't large enough to cover the cost and the second person can pay a larger share, then pay for the repair and first person's future profits are used to pay back the extra with interest as if it was a short term bank loan.

You can try marketing it yourself but give yourself a short leash say a month.

My current short term goal is just starting a portfolio, once I do my due diligence and study as much as a possibly can to mitigate my risks.

There you will find real estate agents who are familiar with the investing side of things(not all agents are familiar with the creative strategies involved) and you will discover mentors.