If I were starting over in your market, I would 100% focus on house hacking in San Diego.

If this is what concerns you hire a buyer's agent because you are focused on the wrong things altogether.

For someone focused on quick flips or shorter holding periods, paying a slightly higher rate for flexibility might make more sense.

If you're considering BRRRR, the FHA 203(k) loan could work for bundled purchase and renovation, but it’s often simpler to use personal funds for lighter rehab projects.You could focus on properties with strong rental potential and manageable upgrades to increase value.

While real estate can feel overwhelming with all the strategies available, try to narrow down your focus early—like long-term rentals.

Are those companies focusing on certain states or working across the US?

Instead of focusing solely on the popular spots, they expanded their search to neighborhoods like Linda Vista and Lemon Grove.

If they talk about "halting distributions" to investors to focus on future business growth and profitability, what is their actual business plan?

I don't have the skill set YET to gauge rehab costs and try to BRRRR, but I'd like to learn.This is definitely a choice but my option is that you will do better if you focus on duplexes and cherry-pick a few SFRs as you come across them.As for your Strengths, it sounds like you have an excellent ability to save and your ability to bulk analyze data will serve you well to identify big-picture areas, property types, and characteristics to focus on.I like that you realize the first investment will not be your best investment.

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