We want to use a FHA loan to purchase the property.

But in the competitive Los Angeles market, I had to put up additional cash on top of the deal in order to have my loan taken seriously.

Quote from @Shawn Sopic: When you bought it, it didn't have A/C, so I suspect other buyers will do the same.Installing A/C may not provide a dollar-for-dollar return, but it can make the home more attractive to buyers and enable you to sell it faster.If you spend $10,000 to install the A/C, you can expect it to increase the sales price $5,000 or less.

I have four properties and three are with my VA loan.

@Bill B.1) Home is worth $220k now, principal balance on loan is $179k.

They have provided us with actual data quantifying how much a certain amenity adds to your short-term rental revenues.I tell all my STR investors/second-home buyers in Colorado to get a hot tub, for instance, but while I know you do better, it's been hard to put numbers to it.AirDNA's March report has tried to tell us how much more revenue a home with X amenity gets over a home without X amenity.

We're certainly seeing a very high demand on the investor side for loans in the area.

There are a lot of programs available to help with renovation costs being built into the loan on a primary residence purchase.  

It can be a great option to subsidize your housing costs, gain appreciation, and benefit from someone else helping to pay down your loan. 

Time will provide more clarity.