How can in know if I’m getting a good deal? 

You should look to see how you can cut the fat and automate where you are able.

we are buying everything we can in parts of East Cleveland as we know whats coming.

Use them as guides in decision making not hard and fat rules.

And for my clients sake, I take advantage of sellers that hire a bad agent, sometimes to the extent of 10% of the price or more.And for my sellers that I represent, if a buyer comes to me without an agent, I'm going to work over the buyer as much as I can. In

It’s never truly passive, you can’t just set and forget the way you can in the stock market

I would suggest starting there.Also suggest just attending meetups when you can in San Diego.

. $50K can in many markets get you into a SFH or a duplex that will cash flow $200-$300/unit per month.

I'd suggest to meet with as many successful investors as you can in your market.

Food stamps, which poor people don't get ahead from the food companies do, and gives the US a population that is to fat to produce an Army.