Debt is paid before the equity is paid (i.e. less risky) and in a perfect world should cost less than your debt.

If your goals change because you learn that 15% is impossible in the market you want to be, that's perfectly normal and you can decide whether to adjust your goals or to change markets. 

You want the perfect answer, then you'll take steps.Go back to those other investors and ask them what their first investment was and what lessons they learned from that.

Don't wait for the perfect deal to come up, the most important thing is to get started.

Hiring a local property manager can help maintain the property and handle guest logistics.If you're looking for help, I’m a local realtor in California and would be happy to assist you in finding the perfect property or I would be happy to connect you with my extensive network with other top-notch realtors in the area if needed.Utilize tools like AirDNA to analyze potential rental income and occupancy rates for different beach towns.

This is BARE BONES to properly operate. 

The lady then said actually this would be perfect for my cousins who are moving back to anchorage.

Don't wait for the perfect deal to come up, the most important thing is to get started.

He then explains that she hadn't paid her gas bill and when he called to have it turned on to test, it worked perfectly fine.

It may not turn out perfect but it will be way better.I do high end cars and clean SS all the time.... that can be fixed pretty easy.