California offers great job markets and weather, but comes with high costs. 

Cancellations are the cost of doing business.

That for them to consider it, they would want to order three appraisals, and then the loans would all have to be cross collateralized over the three properties, and it seemed over the top and costly way to borrow $75K.

Is it possible to keep my land loan out of it to keep the total cost low?

You may borrow an additional $35000 for hard cost improvements.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

I wouldn't suggest you buy a single-family home to live in because the additional cost outweighs the benefits.

In Minneapolis, are there programs in place from non profits and the government to aid first time home buyers with costs?

New deliveries are hard to get out of the ground because rents aren't high enough to support the projects at today's costs and interest rates.