If given a choice between one paid-in-full property and two identical properties with 50% leverage, the latter will always out perform in the long run.  

Reviews can sometimes be a problem for them, but they do have some that perform.

Deed fraud and mortgage fraud - be carefulWe just got some mortgages that were non performing that were part of this mess - was not something I wanted to get involved inhttps://www.justice.gov/usao-wdok/pr/former-president-first-mortgage-company-sentenced-serve-104-months-federal-prison-and

If you are looking for cash flow typically multiple unit properties are going to be your best bet but might require a little more work up front and there are not a lot of them around the area to scoop up right now.

Tying up a desperate and in arrears homeowner with a purchase contract you can not perform on and in which a sale will happen ONLY if you are successful flipping the property for a higher price can cause extensive damage to the homeowners finances, credit and personal life.  

I stay north of hwy 8 because I live in north county but I believe the markets most likely to out perform San Diego general RE market are all in South Bay.  

Repairs like fixing faucets can be deducted in the year they are performed, while improvements like insulation must be capitalized and depreciated over time.

Thanks If you are looking at class A-B, the suburbs are a better bet dollar for dollar. 

Are you betting on appreciation in your investment strategy?

The asking rent growth rate decline of 2.7% observed over the past 12 months compares unfavorably to the long-term performance of the metro, and rent growth deceleration has been shared broadly among the Los Angeles metropolitan area's thirty-seven apartment submarkets.Competitive Inventory, Household Formations, AbsorptionThe first quarter added 6,770 net new households to the Los Angeles MSA.