Start small and aim for properties that cash flow well, even after accounting for taxes, insurance, and repairs.Most importantly, keep taking action!

@Tom HallAt 7% if you can I would pay it down as investing it net after tax gains may not get you the 7% you are paying - so it’s less riskDownside is you lose liquidity of that money as it’s tied in your propertyIf rates come down in future you can refinance and even take some of the cash out.Regarding your question are rates coming down, a lot of factors come into play but right now it does not appear there will be significant changes to rates over next 3-6 months.

It's low risk and tax free on the gain.

All rooms within the property are leased as furnished.During my initial residency, the tenant expressed dissatisfaction with my personality, claiming I acted superior and nitpicked him.

FF is a great tool, but you can also look up local corporate leasing companies, as well as, insurance companies/agents to work with for individuals who are going through home insurance claims.  

Here are the pros as i see it: easy (no purchase necessary, you know the property), likely prop 13 property tax discount, possibly below current rate loan.  

This is relevant for multiple reasons 1) appreciation is where the real wealth is generated in RE 2) real estate has tax advantages over cash flow 3) in CA property tax increase is capped.  

Then I would have a little more equity and like you said at that point it would be a loan against an investment property which is tax deductible right? 

He probably could take you to small claims court and win.  

If you have high holding costs (financing, taxes, insurance, utilities, etc.) the longer you are holding the less money that you are makingSelling profitably - How long will it take to sell?