I'm considering purchasing a condo or a small SFH in the Oceanside/Carlsbad area as an investment property and renting it out on a short term rental site like AirBNB. 

To add to @Ashish Acharya, I would recommend using your retirement funds for notes that earn a nice interest rate, if you're into self directing.Given that you want to purchase a short term rental, I'd highly recommend not doing this within an IRA/401k. 

@Grace Solano , congratulations on your purchase in Queen Creek, AZ.

@Isaac Terry Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

My metrics were to be all in purchase and renovation at or below 80% ARV. 

Purchase price: $145,000 Cash invested: $60,000 Finding a move-in-ready home that offers modern upgrades and country charm can be challenging—but this fully renovated 4-5 bedroom, 2-bathroom ranch is the perfect solution.

Purchase price: $150,000 In the process of buying 1.21 acres in Isabela, Puerto Rico.

My suggestion if your goal is to free up some equity to use for another purchase - start small with the single family home with a cash out refinance.

@Jay Fayz for SFR (1-4 family) Classifications are mostly opinion-based.Not aware of anyone tracking eviction rates, except Evictions Lab nonprofit that doesn't like landlords.Here's some info that might helpt:---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

This is a story from my past that provides a perfect example as to why investing in tax liens at auction is so dangerous for any but the most experienced and knowledgable investors20 years ago I purchased a SFR as a long term rental investment that sat on a double lot.