You want to compare the experiences available there so you know where you have to land to be successful in that market as a STR.Furnishing is the main cost that I didn't see and @Bryce Jamison hit several other ones.

Experience with Distressed Properties: While it's true that many clients of real estate agents are looking to sell for a profit in non-distressed situations, investor-friendly agents specialize in or are at least familiar with foreclosures, short sales, and REOs (bank-owned properties).

Pay attention to sales price and local sales stay away from new construction or anything recently remodeled.

Travel is mine, I wanna see the world, meet people, and experience life outside my comfort zone. 

What skill sets and experiences have you drawn from? 

In my experience, once it gets to the no communication stage it usually never works out

I see you just started investing in Los Angeles, did you have prior experience flipping before these two houses?

What was your experience like? 

(which I like) so I would like someone with local experience rather than be the farthest flung property for a city-focused PM (if they'd even do it) and potentially become neglected or incur higher costs because of distance and/or unfamiliarity.A little help?

I would add....does your partner have rei experience?