Also considering Nevada which has low property taxes and is more landlord friendly than CA I can give you more info about East Bay if you'd like. 

I do a weekly "live deal analysis" on my Facebook page if you are interested, it's public so you can view it without friending me.

I've been working under a friends GC license and now working on getting my own.I am currently house hacking my invest property, the main house is rented out and I live in the unfinished back unit in the back that will eventually be a DADU.

Quote from @Mike Grudzien: Zach,Even private money doesn't like 2nd position.My 2-cents,Mike Yeah, was thinking more along the lines of close circle private money(friends and family).

Some friends and family are interested in buying in to the right deal, but I don't understand how they get paid (wrong specialty I guess).

It may require paying down some balances and taking out authorized users 

Furthermore, a big driver for me is to be able to care for both of my parents in their retirement, my auntie who recently lost her husband and help friends or strangers in need.Now I am looking to network and get more intimate with the market I am eyeing - and of course, continue to learn.- Oh, and I am a total nomad.

Looking out of state (because of prices and more landlord friendly areas) but open to hear others successes in Cali investing (for first time purchases).  

One of my friends is a mortgage broker, so I discussed my challenges with him, and he connected me with a real estate agent.

The other option is to look for private money, or for friends and family or even if you have retirement savings, and having them self direct the funds and lend to you.You can also go and look for a partner that brings the capital and you bring the experience/sweat equityCongrats on the homeGino