What you want is an agent with experience who knows how to negotiate, watch your back, navigate difficult situations, understand contracts and law, provides an objective cross-check, etc.

Any advice or shared experience would be great.

Here is my experience, and my regrets: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/922/topics/1133476-hous...At this stage, Zillow and a mortgage calculator are your friends.

I don't have personal experience with it, but when the app was first developed, I contacted the developer and put the app through a fairly robust test usage to see if it's something I would want to recommend to my clients (I'm a CPA).I think the app is great for its intended purpose and I do recommend it to my clients now (and have for about 18 months now). 

I would need to learn more about my options though as my experience is limited to podcasts and a few articles on that subject. 

Rent control in the bay area can be extreme as many areas have rent control in excess of the state mandated rent controlIn general experience RE investors are not choosing to add a single ADU in single family zoned areas.  

I also know from experience that if you have damages from frozen pipes the insurance co. will try to 1) verify that the property was occupied and 2) verify that the heat was turned on ( for example they could request a copy of the heating bill).

We have sent over a few referrals to him and they have given us great feedback when we asked how their experience has been. 

From my experience you should expect a 10% to 15% of gross revenue for repairs/maintenance. 

You don't need to know everything to get started; you need a foundation to build on, and the rest will come through experience and then refining your education.You can build a basic understanding of investing in 3-6 months.