Need to know financials needed to start investing

[Mario Garcia]

Hi, I want to invest in or around los angeles, CA area on a 3/2 SFR with a price <250k as a flip (do small repairs and sell) or to buy and rent. I live with my wife in a condo that is under her brother and her name. I pay $1200 month on rent to the father (don't ask why but I do and I'm ok with it). My wife pays the propery taxes for the property we live in.

I make about 90k/year gross salary I work on the medical field

I have 6k saved on the bank, 

3k in stocks, 

401k (retirement) with 35k

another 401k with 2k

4k on company stock that I cannot sell until after 4 years

I am able to save about $500 per month with my current expenses

Credit score of about 750

Credit cards I have 3 with (credit limit of 10k each) so 30k credit limit on credit cards

I have a real estate sales person license that I got recently, I have not contacted a broker to work with since I have a full time job, I only got it so that I can learn more about real estate

My only debt is my car lease I pay about $380/month 

If I try to save 20% for the down payment it would take me about 4 - 5 years to save for it.  Is there any other option instead of waiting that long? Thanks.