They are some of the more sought after homes, and it can be tough to get a good deal if you aren't well positioned.

Investing out-of-state is tough and finding a strong PM in these cheaper markets is equally difficult.

Buy a property with lots of bedrooms and rent out the spares to family, co-workers, friends?

Using borrowed money is going to make it difficult because you're putting extra pressure on whatever you buy, and with prices and rates high it's going to be tough to get a return for years or even decades.  

It has been tough to find anybody with the city who can give me direct answers about the rules of running a STR there though. 

If I'm the GC, and they are 1099,  would I still need worker's comp or would they be responsible for it themselves?

Here are some of my thoughts:- you are entering a tough market.  

It’s frustrating to see laws like AB 468 that seem to put landlords in a tough spot.

Market is tough now, but we want to get into real estate investing.

I have to chuckle a bit at naming the "worst" villages to do rehabbing in based on how tough inspectors are.