I’m aware California is not the best market, with the restrictions and potential new tax coming up, etc, but we have personal reasons to invest there.With that said, we visited a lot of houses in the San Diego area and saw 2 that seem like a potential fit for us: one is a smaller 3 bedroom but a mile from the beach and the other is a 15-17min drive to the beach, but bigger with 4 bedroom and a little cheaper, which would allow us some cushion to invest on a hot tub or potential pool.

In response we did a deep clean on the unit and couldn't find any bed bugs but found some possible bug casing and bug excrement.

Why are you driving out there all the time?

Tax season drives me crazy - I am going to get a tattoo of a K-1 on my behind !! 

Schedule your house deep cleans. 

If you just look at a place with no jobs and everyone has to drive 10-20 miles to work, these can be problematic if fuel prices rise or there is a recession. 

Might be a little far drive from SD but may be worth it. 

I ended up buying a duplex in North Andover, only 30 min drive from the city.

I would have a deep conversation with whoever controls your onsite sewer..

Your market for say 25 wide by 50 foot deep will be different than a 50 x 150 building.