You'd be better off finding some other route to spend your extra cash flow on, rather than accelerating the pay down.There is no reason to increase your equity position in a non-appreciating market as it's likely resistant to the market downturns as well, so less risky.

For any syndicators/operators based in California, have you faced any resistance from potential investors to the LLC being deemed doing business in California and paying California LLC franchise taxes?

It tends to resist wear better.

.—(1) The landlord at all times during the tenancy shall:(a) Comply with the requirements of applicable building, housing, and health codes; or(b) Where there are no applicable building, housing, or health codes, maintain the roofs, windows, doors, floors, steps, porches, exterior walls, foundations, and all other structural components in good repair and capable of resisting normal forces and loads and the plumbing in reasonable working condition.

What and who should i avoid-  I would say simply avoid overpaying for deals and resist the temptation of buying mediocre deals.Who should i know to find off market deal?

Trying to take path of least resistance and secure the property on the 30th.

House hacking is a lot more of a "recession resistant" buying strategy than just buying a massive SFR at the top of your budget.

Resist the temptation of simply picking the one projecting the highest return.  

It is the rare individual in the convenience-selling segment of the service industry who can recognize this tendency and stoutly resist acquiring it over time or allowing it to fester in the people who work for them.

PERIOD (sorry, couldn't resist).