At this stage of your life, communication skills are most important so be sure to develop those.

It's tempting to chase quick riches in real estate: flips, short-term rentals, hot markets.

Direct communication with the builder has been the most effective method in my experience.

However generally from working with 2-3 other PMs in the west coast, I am 100% fine paying more of a premium each month for a PM that is transparent and is able to give more time to communication.

As a result, competing against seasoned investors in the multifamily space can be challenging, especially for newcomers or those with less capital to deploy.On the other hand, single-family homes (SFH) are typically the go-to choice for primary homebuyers, who are not always as cash-rich as investors but can still secure financing through conventional loans.

On Thursday, July 12 my contractor stopped communicating with me. 

That can make it easier to communicate the opportunity effectivelyTo expand efficiently, consider targeting local real estate meetups or investment groups San Diego has a strong investor community.

A prudent investor doesn't seek quick riches through shortcuts.

She’s currently not paying rent, and while she has some health issues and no stable income, she’s been communicative and open to general talks, with a possible option to vacate through a cash-for-keys arrangement, though this might take around six weeks and some hard work.I plan to rehab the property and eventually rent it out, potentially to a Section 8 tenant.

I'd recommend communicating more with the PM directly.