You can only use a handyman for jobs under $500 as I recall....which will exclude tile, drywall, insulation, paint and well pretty much everything.... 

You’re surrounded by a support group I never had, and that’s a positive.

Quote from @JD Martin: I can't speak to rates - I think eventually they come down out of sheer necessity - but as far as the economy we must be living in an insulated bubble up here in Northeast Tennessee; no one has bothered telling us the economy is bad.

Need more information surrounding why your current lender is suggesting they cannot utilize the rental income on your investment property.

Austin and it’s surrounding is on the top three list for highest decline and short term rental revenue.

Networking with local real estate meetups in Raleigh or surrounding areas could also help you find leads directly from other investors.

I spent time in the league and have since built my real estate portfolio and started a real estate agency and property management company servicing Indianapolis and its surrounding areas.

or could we get people from the surrounding areas. 

For example I know someone who has a $7 monthly sub-to class that from what I have been told provides 10X more information as is about "doing it" and not hype and mindset.Remember you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with, if you want to surround yourself with a bunch of people who have done nothing and just getting started great - I surround myself with people who have done 10x more than me so I can learn from them. 

You'll definitely get the long term appreciation in the San Diego market since our supply levels remain low which helps to insulate our market here, but it will be hard to cash flow on immediately unless you use one of the above strategies I mentioned.