I'd run the financials of the rental option side by side with other investment options, weight the softer issues (location, suitability as rental, likelihood of appreciation), then decide.  

A good agent will pull their own weight and prevent you from overpaying for the property.

The experience they'll give you will be worth it's weight in gold.

Big mulit and commercial deals multi millions etc  yes... but even then they work with the title company and the escrow officer handles most of the duties Attorney may draft the note or Deed  and review.Maybe some of the CA investors can weight in and advise who they use for escrow closings. 

So these loan spots are worth their weight in gold to an investor.2) You had mentioned you were looking to put the loans/houses in an S Corp.

And hard money lenders that can close are worth their weight in gold!

(breed, age, weight)What date are you looking to move in?

A sub2 is cleaner and lessens the seller's involvement.

He then checked both of my units, made sure they were running properly and asked that all I do is pay for his gas.I know in the REI world a good, honest contractor is worth their weight in gold and this guy is one of those.PM me for contact info.

So, a pier is there going up into nothing with no beam above it at all right in the middle of the house, and the long central wall is basically holding the house up although the center is slowly sinking due to it's own weight.