newbie with questions about san diego market!

[Margy Goodman]

hi bp community!

i live in pacific beach, san diego and am just getting started in the re investing process. having a hard time deciding which niche to dedicate my efforts to. interested in multi family properties as well as flipping... while i think a duplex/triplex is a great longer term strategy, i feel that flipping is a better way to make more money "upfront" (to then reinvest). i currently work a job i don't like, and am looking to get out of the industry sooner than later. i've also been hearing/reading a lot about how the san diego market is near or at the "top", but trying to not let this be something that disuades me from taking action.

would appreciate people's thoughts on this and information on the following topics:

1. best niche in socal? for someone with drive, time to be more hands on, but not a lot of money to invest

2. investor friendly agents in san diego?

3. area specific recommendations for direct mail marketing?

4. suggestions for neighborhoods to invest in? or to stay away from?

5. thoughts on investing out of state? i'd like to buy somewhere in california, however i'm from maine and tempted by prices back east

thanks in advance for the help!!