Look into getting into a skilled trade as an electrician or a plumber Work more spend less.$10,000 might seem like a lot to you and it is to your circumstances but its doable.Good Luck!

You could find your local wholesaler ( basically what a land flipper is) and ask about what CRMs they are using and also talk CPAs.  

Find them at local real estate meetups, but be careful, it's a sketchy business overall.

Real estate is local.

My suggestions:* Requiring code compliance and safety equipment is absolutely valid and should be part of the regulations* Requiring owners live within 15 miles is not necessary since poor hosts whether they're local or distant will violate the 3-5 warning system and earn a suspension.

I can put in touch with a couple of local insurance agencies.  

I would like to see what the local tricks and tips are to protecting ourselves as landlords in California thank you my name is Ryan have a good day

P.S; We live in Wilmington NC so both markets would be "long distance" P.S.P.S there are no reasonably priced multi family properties local to us.

Facebook Groups, local meetups

Localized knowledge for an agent or investor is needed to answer most of these questions.