We (HMLs) have mostly cut our teeth on BRRRs and maybe some winner & loser Flips in years past and prefer to assess deals brought to us for funding instead of managing tenants or rehabs.  

I figure the first one I buy may not be the best deal, but it's probably worth cutting my teeth before the next downturn when there's a lot more inventory. 

@Patrick Reilley Parents with cash = great asset.You might want to cut your teeth on your own.  

. $4,500 to get into a unit and cut your teeth at renovation and being a landlord is a pretty low price of admission into the investing world.

Like all cities, San Diego is very sensitive about illegal construction and you'd easily be discovered as soon as you listed the property and someone compares the listing to the previous sale. 

I'm also very interested in investing in other areas of the country due to better growth and opportunity but have been trying to cut my teeth on my local area so I can better see how the whole process works.

Currently I am a real estate agent working for both commercial and residential clients to "cut my teeth".  

please do not take offense if you are a 90 year old naked woman, shoeless or have missing teeth, you're still welcome on biggerpockets.com."

@Josh Dillingham I use Digital Watchdog cameras and software.It is commercial grade and more expensive but you get what you pay for.My cameras have optical zoom that I can control from my computer or phone.It is extremely customizable.I can set the sensitivity to certain zones in the field of view and have system email a still shot of motion.

The good ones should be able to show a sensitivity analysis to demonstrate how much stress the deal can take and address those concerns.