If you're going for the classic California investor strategy of purchase 10 properties worth $40k a piece, your issue is going to be tenants and property management.For reference to my earlier comment on volume of dollars - what happens when a market correction reduces the $40k property value in half?

If so, you could repurpose that savings into liquid savings and invest in real estate which pays off now and likely at higher rates vs when you’re 60.

Our plan was to convert the upper stairs of the commercial area to residential (the lot was already zoned for both and had both - It was 3 separate buildings one of which was shed size (I would guess at 10'x10') but rented for $400/month commercial (tenant in place) with no plumbing). one was a previous duplex but was rented to a single tenant I believe at $2K, and the one we planned to repurpose). 

A classic example of how buying when others are fearful can pay off. 

You should not have purchased a condo where the outside is in bad condition and expect your neighbors to bark and roll over for you.This is a classic example of why I stay away from condos and there is another 20 or 30 more reasons.

From my experience, the classic Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, and Repeat (BRRRR) in Kansas City departed stage left.I am a GM of a medium-sized property management company in Kansas City, Missouri.

Basically the classic cycle of someone who buys a new house because they are sick of what their old house turned into.

That's classic language to try to deflect what they are hiding.

In his quintessential classic book: Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill takes about this and how to imagine a council of wise advisors all in your head though.

Classic buck fever the market is hot the seller thinks the have a gold mine .The ability to process issues with the property is cloudy .