Another major red flag is when a prospective tenant is in a huge rush to move.

I wouldn't do it without a rock solid plan to pay off the mortgage at a moment's notice

https://www.ocregister.com/2018/05/02/reaming-owners-and-other-renters-with-rent-control/These things can hurt home owners too because theres less value and more red tapes

It has been rehabbed some time ago has sheet rocked walls, breakers, carpet, etc likely completed in the very early 90's.

It has been rehabbed some time ago has sheet rocked walls, breakers, carpet, etc likely completed in the very early 90's.

In my part of California, a 2 unit (or 2 home) property with only one meter is a red flag that one of the units/houses is not permitted.

No red lights, quiet streets, a ghost town of a downtown made up of a few dive bars and abandoned buildings.

I lay it out on my screen and color coordinate whether or not the full lease payment has been made, who made their payments, Green is Good, Red is Bad, The Dates may be in Blue if the payment has been scheduled but has not been deposited just yet because of the 3 business day gap, etc.When I started using Electronic Rent Collection, the one problem I had with doing it this way is make sure that the service deposits what they say they will deposit in the right bank account.

A small scare but no problem I hired a sheet rock guy to patch it up.

You do not necessarily have to replace sheet rock that only has like smoke, but it will all need to be cleaned and any with heat damage or extensive smoke damage will need to be replaced.You are on the right track with getting the city involved--pull permits and "jump through the hoops"  You want to be able to demonstrate for a future buyer that you did everything you should have and the city signed off on it.