Regarding getting started, I recommend finding an STR owner who's overwhelmed or just worn out with managing their property, and perhaps who's also not using a dynamic pricing tool, and then offering to manage it for a very small cost. 

PS5, TV and two gamer chairs is about the same cost or less than an arcade unitThis is true and that is why I have Xbox in my cabins.  

.$24K in soft costs (permits impact fees etc)$200K (or less) buildout of the house (size tbd on after-build-appraisal) Likely going with 2/2 A frame 1000 sf.

I prefer to not hire an attorney unless I must because I am afraid it will cost a lot of money.

After a bit of back-and-forth on the repair costs, I negotiated it down to $69,000, convincing them the extent of repairs was higher than they initially estimated.

He only gave me an estimate (doesn't show work completed) for $5,000, even though the repairs were stated to cost $15,000, he said he lost other documents, when I ask him to retrieve them or allow me to retrieve them from repair company he won't.

These options could provide flexibility with your upfront costs and monthly payments.Expand Your Search Radius or Property Type:If you’re set on a single-family home, you might find more affordable options by expanding your search to nearby areas in San Diego County or by considering properties that need a little TLC.Partnerships:Partnering with another investor or family member might be a way to pool resources for a purchase.

The cost of labor , materials , property taxes , inflation , interest rates  etc .

What is your average work order cost for the owner?

Some investors prefer to start saving for these ASAP, while others plan to deal with them when they happen.The unknown is Maintenance costs, which are often dictated by how "hard" a tenant lives in a property.