People will rightfully assume that you cannot know as much as an older person, you just cannot have that much experience.The best way to gain people's trust is to do a couple deals and get happy satisfied clients who will use you again and refer you to others ......I don't see a shortcut here.Or else you have to have the deal of the century.   .people will sometimes sacrifice their comfort level when there is money to be made..Good for you though for starting so early, just hang in there and don't give up...

Property didn't appraise because all multi-units comps sold in the area are in terrible condition in need of min $100k update to get them into this century.

I wouldn't be surprised if you have a whole century ahead of you to live and be prosperous.

This is based on the true value of what the cash/cost in the property (DP, Cash Flow and equity) is buying in property value.This is an example of the compounding effect Albert Einstein referred to as "the greatest invention of the 20th century". 

It was the deal of the century, never to be repeated again (aren't they always?).

Or that if your building 20th century you should move?

With your large down payment they will still be mostly break even, but over time you'll benefit from the crazy appreciation that has been happening consistently in California for a century and the rents WILL eventually catch up. 

In addition to numerous tradition RE related investments (most individually owned but some as LP), here are our unusual investments (both are RE related, but not what is common on this site)- I have mentioned this one a few times on BP, when fracking was just starting to be known to the general public (near turn of century), we purchased mineral rights in North Dakota.  

@Mark Cotter I am a firm believer that San Diego is one of the best markets to invest and even though the data would confirm what I am saying for the past half century or so, I still recognize I am biased as I am a local investor with single family and multifamily properties locally and of course am in brokerage also.  

The city is one that’s consistently listed as a top 10 2024 real estate market, the projected cash flow is intriguing ($50,000 - 25% down payment, estimated $7500 annual cash flow), both units are leased until October and December (as a potential new landlord this gives me some security), but I feel hesitant with offering on a century old property.