@Sean Daugherty Congrats on taking the plunge--Don't be discouraged by the nos and the not yets.

I have a deal that I am currently looking at (just seen online no further steps have been taken) just would like to learn more about the industry before taken the plunge! 

Put it in your repair estimate if you find out later that it doesn't then you're okay.Budget for plunging electric roof mechanicals drywall...

Like standing at the edge of a pool, looking at the water, watching others in the pool and waiting to take the plunge is what happens to many folks.  

When I first decided to take the plunge I found a duplex that had been rehabbed and was in my price range.

this is very interesting reading, especially for someone like me who has not taken the plunge yet.

My question is do I take the virgin property plunge or hesitate and lose out again?

Good job, you took the plunge.

I do see that you are in San Diego and the price points there are less attractive than other markets, but you just have to decide to balance the ability to learn by doing self management for some time, or learn as much as you can about off-site management before taking the plunge into another market.  

I was told that to look for an investor that would mentor me during my initial plunge into the market is an unrealistic expectation.