I work with a ton of new investors as a realtor the #1 way to get started is just find a 2-4 unit in decent shape and buy it low down with conventional financing 5-10% then you can live in it for a year and do another next year.

If the numbers work in California, and they may not, then go for it. 

Two identical homes located next to each other would come up with the same value, even though House #1 was just renovated to a very high standard and House #2 hadn't ever been renovated since it was built in 1949.I always tried for an identical (or nearly so) beds, baths, sq ft of living area, garage and acres. 

Hey there, I work with some of the best GCs in the philadelphia!

And I feel the ideal portfolio can benefit from the diversification of both.1) Holdfolio isn't a match for me, personally (due to not enough experience, skin in the game, etc).

You can live in one unit and rent out the other three.

Some of the moves you made are of the logic gamblers use when they're down at a table. 

I really wanted to get a second duplex because I knew the sooner I got out the sooner I would be cash flowing.

The founders branched off from the wholesaler they worked for at the time because they believed in the industry, but not in the way their previous employer did certain things.

I would take out a private loan on the paid off property to get the other one squared away