Consider all the things that could go wrong and see if the lease addresses them: unauthorized pets or tenants, early termination, security deposit, lease violations, late rent, eviction, lawn maintenance, parking, etc.5.

Real estate investing has been a passion of mine for time with my mother also having invested early on where I likely have gotten the love and desire to follow similar foot steps.I have taken last 6 months to educate myself and currently own a single family home as primary residence and would like to expand to multi family properties (2-4 units) for additional stream of income, not to mention potential tax benefits for long-term investing.Based on current living situation, I have a fair amount of equity established in my primary residency along with having enough cash to either pay off house completely or use towards investing in a multi family property.Given that I'm the sole source of income for our household with my wife being the home maker for our two kids under 2, trying to weigh out risks with getting started now or perhaps waiting. 

You filed two full year tax cycles and the numbers are similar (no greater variant than 1%) they maybe yes.Generally depreciation is added back as income BUT only the 40% portion you own not all of it.

As you know its near impossible to find a good cash flowing deal in CA due to sale price, taxes and lack of inventory.Last one I closed on was over off of Germantown Road it was a great 2 unit that needed a little TLC for $160K but passed an inspection and was livable.

I had constant issues with the local government and the taxes were absurd.

Additionally, there’s always a risk that any pet-related damages could be hidden under furniture or otherwise concealed, potentially leaving us to cover the costs if the security deposit is fully depleted by other expenses (e.g., damages or unpaid rent).

If the signs point to selling, consult your CPA about the tax implications.

What do you do to ensure that the tenant is responsible for security deposit disputes since that is the largest reason for owner lawsuitsHow familiar are you with the newly changed laws that can affect you the owner if they are not used correctly?

Mello Roos are bonds that are floated to do off and on site development and then added to the tax bill. there is also 1915 act bonds etc.. if there was not the ability to float bonds CA would never have developed as it has as the up front captial for major improvements would have been a major stumbling block..

It depends on a lot of factors; primarily the local jurisdiction rules that may limit lease changes (in Portland/Oregon rent, security deposit, screening fees, an no-cause evictions are heavily regulated).