If you don't like the answers, find someone who knows what they're talking about and can guide you.

Concerning owning a rental property: Have you read the discussions concerning the 2% and 50% rule to use as a guide?

Brentwood and Oakley are great suburbs that are growing fast.https://www.movoto.com/guide/san-jose-ca/san-jose-real-estat...If you do a search on Zillow, look at the school rankings no matter what city you're looking at and a Google map search (may not always be current).

A good agent will be a guide and a resource for you.

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

Most attorneys will guide you away from them, but there are a few more sophisticated investing attorneys that understand the process.

If it's pier and beam with a crawlspace like many Charleston homes, it's pretty straightforward to rewire from beneath without removing the drywall. 

I think we need a bit more information to help guide you.

Start by reading the Ultimate Real Estate Investing Guide: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides/ultimate-real-estate-investing-guide/introduction2.

I also have a close connection with an experienced developer and is willing to help mentor/guide me through looking at homes and answering my questions.