@Kevin,   Here is a big help of advice, I'm a Full time Insurance adjuster with a  large national carrier (well known), wholesale Investor and investor of 24 rentals.1st), I need to state this is 100% Fraud, I would NOT pay the claim if I was the one to get the case as an adjuster, as everyone knows we do carry a book of checks to write to homeowner on site.

In LA, there are an enormous amount of restaurants to try, of neighborhoods to visit, entertainment options for young and old, great national parks to drive to, other very cool and different cities that can be visited very easily (San Diego, Vegas, San Francisco), and if music is important to you, LA gets all the major tours.  

Check out the National Association of Residential Property Managers and their educational offerings.

Additionally I've not been able to get a loan as a foreign national, however my bank said they would loan me money if I started an LLC.

How much of this investment is from regional versus national investors, I don't know.

Pros:MLS AccessAble to see houses easierYour own MLS accessCommission on deals you purchase of MLS.Cons:Held to a higher standard (legally)Cost - You will have to join the National Association of Realtors, your state association, and your local association to get MLS access. 

Little tip for you - if you see a tax lien that is attached to somebody like a DR Horton or other national builder, buy that sucker - they will eventually redeem it because big developers don't want to lose a single parcel in what will eventually be an entire subdivision.If you get big enough in this space you may be able to connect up with some larger buyers and pick up the liens at a discount from face value. 

Your parcel would be known as the dominant tenement - meaning it benefits from an easement across another parcel - this is a national standard that most municipalities abide by, simply because it's common sense, but people (and cities) do things for reasons not logic.  

Welcome to BP Nation, Debbie :)Feel free to reach out!

Thanks BP Nation.