Also, when buying a larger asset, you are scaling your operating costs and maintenance costs to a lower operating expense % (unless you are buying distressed assets).  

Same goes for number of LLCs and what to fund them with, since bear in mind that CA tends to be more cumbersome and expensive to have LLCs than other states.California is generally more cumbersome than other states when it comes to taxes and filings.

Prime properties have still seen strong buyer activity (assumedly everywhere) regardless of recent interest rates, but average on market times are longer and buyer(s) typically have a captive seller audience to present their offer. 

I've included an example below to help illustrate this.So different lenders have different rates (which do vary even for DSCR loans) but these are factors they all consider.See example below:DSCR < 1Principal + Interest = $1,700Taxes = $350, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $50Total PITIA = $2200Rent = $2000DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2000/2200 = 0.91Since the DSCR is 0.91, we know the expenses are greater than the income of the property.DSCR >1Principal + Interest = $1,500Taxes = $250, Insurance = $100, Association Dues = $25Total PITIA = $1875 Rent = $2300DSCR = Rent/PITIA = 2300/1875 = 1.23DSCR lenders generally let you vest either individually or as an LLC.

Then the remaining balance of $3250 can be paid out over the remaining five months of coverage at $650/Mo.My plan is to pitch this offer to my potential client with 2 months free of coverage and 2 free monthly visits included in our contract agreement, saving them an estimated $3000 or more in additional expenses.

If you earn income as an independent contractor / entrepeneur, you report the income and expenses under schedule C.There can be a converesation down the road if you should set up an S-Corp.

@Tony & Andrea Stephan: What would you say is the average monthly cash flow, before property management expences per property?

We made our first purchase in September 2023, a rental property averaging about $3k in monthly revenue so far.

My experience has been that I end up holding the property for an average of 5 years.  

Still, if the cash flow is very little, or even a bit negative, but you can hold on to the property for 4 or 5 years, you will gain an average 20% net worth on said property that belongs to you and only you.There is a saying I love in the stock market, but I feel it also applies to the real estate market:"Time in the market always beats timing the market"This is to say that if you hesitate and don't pull the trigger for fear of having "missed the boat" you could be missing the boat that is passing in front of you.So, to summarize, I would look at other markets, but I implore you to look for a good realtor who can provide more than just the properties.