I was hoping for some problem solving ideas and honest opinions on my potential First deal (My Parents' out-of-state vacation rental property in Palm Desert, CA).  

Honestly, I have no clue what you mean by "Is this worth it" or what you're trying to convince an investor of. 

A Checkbook Control Trust would solve the problem.

Problem solved!

However most of them have no clue what I'm talking about and all of them have said no.Where can I find places that sell notes?

You might be focusing on solving the wrong problem though.

She has no clue. 

I don't think there are any GOOD - AFFORDABLE CONTRACTORS in Baltimore - if they are good - they are not affordable --- if they are affordable they are not usually good.I just finished a development on Charles Street at a cost of $1.1 MM - it should have cost $900,000 - contractors have a way of getting all the juice they can from a job - they are always finding something that the owner or they have missed.You might want to price out every stage of your renovation - heating - drywall - electrical etc. and learn to act as your own general - my son has been doing a  program called FreeHabbing - it is a professional approach that solves the two most common problems in real estate renovation: 1) where to get the money to acquire real estate, and 2) where to get the money to rehab. the property.A bad contractor can drain you bank account and demotivate you.

If they don't have any clue, just move on.

There are many ways a city tries to solve their profitability, they turn to fines.