However, it is also important to have realistic expectations for San Diego RE.  

Network with wholesalers, check public records, and use platforms like PropStream or DealMachine to find distressed properties.Be Cautious: Pay attention to permits, inspections, and local market trends—over-improving for the area could hurt your profits.Starting with a solid plan and realistic numbers will set you up for success.

Realistically I know that we have built into our assumptions that there will be a certain amount of days in our properties that we will not be able to bill for (and we are well below that number), yet I still worry.

Start with these three key points:Current SituationAssess your current or expected capital and credit within a realistic timeframe.

I think there's little to help folks like myself starting with little capital who want a more realistic path in than save $100k and then get started.

Is it not the actively working and realistic practice used all the time?

It will also require extensive networking to raise funds from other, legally, to buy at scale.Recommend your plan be more realistic with a goal of 10 years for your real estate to be generating enough cash to live off - and even that may be a bit optimistic.How to grow?

Thanks Brian for this very clear and realistic post on these fires..

That will meet the 1% rule, but is it realistic in that neighborhood?

Once I hit that goal I'll take stock of how much I like scaling real estate vs. how much I dislike my job, and make a call on retiring vs continuing to scale.Your goal is both hard and very realistic.