House hacking is definitely a good move for the San Diego market.

I found 50 acres off market near a few popular state parks in Ohio. 

I come from Europe too, and I know it can be overwhelming when you look at the real estate market in a new country and with completely different building technics ( sticks instead of bricks), but is not as bad when you have the right team in place. 

Then to find inventory, you need to search out, i.e. network, and find out who is creating these type of notes or you help people that may have an interest in seller financing how to create a note that is marketable to the secondary market.

Networking and market research will be key to finding the right deals and scaling your portfolio.

Given the fact that the Baby-Boomer generation is retiring and interest rates are high (making a buyer's market) I should be in a good place.

I personally will not expand into a market without securing a reliable team first.Service Quality Over Price – While 10-15% may seem attractive, be cautious—cheaper often means less attention to detail.

Every market can be invested in successfully.

I would rather invest in safe markets that produce a good return, then I can use that income to pay for a vacation anywhere in the world.I'm very pessimistic about the STR market in Hawaii.

Likewise, marketing in general.