I have a brand new 5 ton ac unit but here in socal it does get very hot and sun sets towards front of their house.

Essentially I base it off the fact that I'll need to replace 2 hot water heaters, 1 furnace and 1 roof every 20 years.  

Portland and Seattle are hot right now.. so is some EAst coast areas

Additionally, in having the combination of a fuse box and a 100A panel that has 2 open slots; it is likely that you would want/need to box off the old fuse box (using it as a junction box) and then replace the 100A panel with a newer/larger one with more slots.

I moved into the unit and there was no hot water because the tank was leaking.

Fortunately, the hot market prevailed.

I just came across a post two year ago, it looks like the appraiser know if it is in a hot STR market, they will intend to appraise the best and the highest based on STR market. 

Also built a wood fired hot tub heater, but that's another story.

Market is hot and I'd love to find some distressed properties that are 'off market' any suggestions as to best practices for doing so? 

I guess state-side here, we'd call that a hot sellers market, but not necessarily a housing crisis.