We do most of our work locally in the Topanga Canyon, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Calabasas, West Hills, Woodland Hills, West LA, Culver City, areas. 

The economy is thriving in several areas -- pharmaceutical, medical, IT, Distribution centers, manufacturing, government defense, sports, convention center -- a wide variety, so we aren't depending on only one type of industry. 

A local Realtor or property manager would be able to advise best. 

I'm a local central Houston Real estate agent, investor and developer.

and same above deduction applies similar to as if it is local STR and self-managed ?

Looking forward to meeting local investors and hearing new ideas!

Being an agent who literally just put a FSBO under contract for some first time home buyers I will say this and hope it helps.You can list on Zillow easily, and you can probably pay to be listed on your local MLS.

Tell me, how much does it cost to place an ad in a local Pennysaver, and post it on MLS?

I’m a local agent/investor and specialize in small multifamily purchases. 

We were not first-time investors but what we learned about asset protection was from investing OOS.The other thing we learned about investing OOS was to treat it as if you were local.