I hope to purchase a 2-4 unit property / house-hack, and it would be great to get some local market expertise!

As other have suggested, these ideas are not rocket science, but the doing of them takes work, practice, etc.

Remember, don't let emotion override sound investing practices.

Hey David, here in NJ contractors are all charging $5000 small shower caulking, $10,000 small shower tiling, $20,000 small deck....this is unfair trade practices.

Only issue you may have is that some people who practice some Asian types of religions may not want to rent the property. 

He also asks me to send the check in mail and then he will send the lien waiver in mail after the amount is cleared in the bank. what is the regular practice to get lien waivers from the GC's? 

I'm looking for some practical advice from other California land lords.

Plus, I'd be managing the property and they'd be pretty much a silent partner, so there would be an imbalance in the amount of work there.What attracts me to the idea of a JV is that it's a way for me to basically trade my expertise and my work for equity.

I like physical work, I like creative or restorative processes, and I love learning new and super practical skills.

I hope to purchase a 2-4 unit property / house-hack, and it would be great to get some local market expertise!