Southern California is beautiful and I’m so grateful to have been born and raised here but the real estate market is tough compared to other parts of the country.

Looks beautiful! 

Beautiful!

Is there a beautiful new dorm with gym and swimming pool under construction that could impact off campus demand? 

I would have to approve the look of the garage doors for aesthetic purposes.I would have a written agreement from the tenants stating that I am not financially responsible for any of these specific improvements, and that they agree that everything stay intact and with the property upon their move out.

What a beautiful home, @Karen Margrave!  

First, the beauty of the VA Loan is you need very little money to start investing.

I bought the house because it was beautiful, and I really liked the thought of living there, even if only for one duty cycle.

I need to sell it and if I made it beautiful again, I'd never want to sell it. 

Oh one other thought, too@Michael GuzikThere's no simple answer here as different things work for different peopleWe try to focus more on quality (or put another way, these are items that we've found some of the most value - perceived or real - in terms of our rentals on the following):Lighting (do lots of recessed down-lighting with LEDs)GraniteHardwood Flooring (this is actually CHEAPER, but more TIME INTENSIVE)Metal Roofing (this is an aesthetic, and lifecycle cost considerationIn almost all those cases, I have more of a DIY/active management proclivity on these items because they would tend to be very COSTLY to bring in a 3rd party to do.