Originally posted by @Sunny P.

If you were in my position- had a decent pool of cash, were a cash-only investor, but didn't have enough $ to buy locally in California.  

Don't tell me u want at least 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and an open layout with a sunroom pool. 

Did a flip there in 2013 and the neighbor swam in the pool, had a party and used the bbq. 

2 months ago I hired Anchor Pools in Pasco County to resurface an existing pool and install pavers on the cool deck.

The more stringent you make your requirements, the more you will reduce your pool of qualified applicants.

I live in sunny (and expensive) Miami, Florida.

Plus there are many more 3-4 day "bootcamps" that range $2,000 to $4,000 that happen in various sunny locations (i.e., travel expenses -- which are deductible for business, but still). 

Lower your standards and expectations.You are trying to rent a less desirable apt with only one bedroom and upstairs (carrying the groceries won't be fun) and you are doing it in the worst time of year to have vacancies.Excellent tenants with great credit and perfect backgrounds already have good housing for the winter and don't wanna move in the middle of the Holidays.Your tenant pool will be limited to people who have lower incomes,minor arrest records,recently lost their homes to foreclosure,downsizing from a more expensive apt,etc.You need to settle for people who have enough to pay the rent and maybe have a co-signer to guarantee the rent.Allowing section 8 tenants can help fill a vacancy faster as well as offing rent discounts for the first month or lower deposits to help them afford the move in costs.Offering a free moving truck rental and help getting the heavy furniture upstairs is a real eye catcher for potential tenants worried about how to get their stuff moved in on their own.

hmmmmReal Example: In 2002,we bought (owner occupied zero down payment) a $240,000 'list  price' -foreclosure (near Ballantyne-- 2800 sqft 4 BR. 3 BA on the golf course) from a local credit union and they had done A LOT of rehab.. new int/ext paint, new carpet,replaced inground pool equip and liner, new windows, refinished hw floors.. but during the inspection we found both HVAC systems were the original 1983.So i got quotes ($12,000) and financed that into the loan , funds escrowed and work started on the day of closing.Remember-- that only added $50 a month to my PITI.Then, usual buyer agent commissions run about 3% of the loan amountwhich at 100 % financing 240 + 12 is 252... so instead of 3% i wrote the offer to say 5% so instead of ~~7500 i paid myself $10,000+( which added another $50 a month to my payment.