Just keep in mind that condos are very volatile pieces of property. 

Variables may impact cycle making them more stretched (peaks lower, bottoms higher) or narrowed (more volatile/peaks higher, bottom lower).

I think in the interim it's a good idea to own income producing assets which would help add stable income and or a complete replacement of W2 income if job market grows increasing more volatile. 

it is unique because it isn't nearly as volatile as other markets. it is a slow and steady increase and doesn't get hit hard like 90% of the markets out there.

... with less risk and less volatility? 

As in site you are very well aware from your suspicion, I am going to error on the side of caution knowing how CA is one of the most volatile markets.

Regardless of your political beliefs, to think that a presidential election in less than 50 days might not have some volatility in the overall markets is head-in-the-sand kind of thinking.

, but a rather volatile journey which ultimately serves the purpose of getting back into the classic game of RE investing.

In the stock market buy and hold dollar cost averaging beats out market timing in most models but stocks don't generate cash flow and stocks tend to have far more volatility which means being out of the market on the wrong day can destroy your chances of ever beating the buy and hold investor.  

I am under the understanding that investment potential leads and far harder to obtain than seller leads, so i figured i would start off with seller leadsI have been reading a lot of post, but most of them are dated around 2009-2012 based on the searches on this site, so i figured i would ask since the market is always changing and new things spark better results.I have read about "Horsey Letters" being very successful for seller addsI have read "Yellow Paper Letters" get you the most phone calls but volatile lead %I have read that "Action Postcards" are pretty rock solid to use, because they are effective for the price.My question is what are you using for leads?