We are in Southern California so this would probably be out-of-state.

Ok,here in Southern California we enjoy Medium Grey exteriors with Creamy white trim and something bold for the front door like Crimson red or darker blue.Also beige with white trim is common.Interiors should be light and bright with lighter soft grey walls with white kitchen cabinets and grey counter tops.Sandy light beige with dark cabinets for homes with beige exteriors.Bathrooms can be more colorful with light yellows or sage green or even light blue with shower tiles and toilet lid covers to match( think Bed Bath and Beyond).

I would like to know if anyone in CA (preferably in Southern California), utilizes a series LLC for asset protection.  

For a while, I did own (and rent out) a property in southern California, but once I moved to the Bay Area for work, I decided to sell it, as self-managing from a distance seemed quite arduous, and my slim financial margins would not allow me to afford to pay a management company.  

I decided to househack  a duplex  in Southern New Jersey Area   after  much back in forth between there  and  philly.

How much rents have climbed in the southern  Florida market.

This is awesome - I'm trying to do a similar (house hack) out here in Southern California (also 21 - new investor).

I live in southern NJ have about $140k to start off with.

Unfortunately, I live in Southern CA, which is a very difficult market to acquire multifamily properties in.

I f you have a garage that was legally converged to living space using permitted renovations and the zoning supports multi-family or single family with an ADU, then it would be permitted.We had a guy, years ago now, here in Southern Maryland, housing people in what amounted to run-in sheds (a shed for a horse to run-into when it rains or snows).