I am 23 and married and just about to finish my bachelors degree this Summer.

Instead, he seems focused on discouraging me from setting up an LLC due to the fees associated with California.

I think their general stance is going to be to go with whichever comparable property has the greatest degree of similarity in terms of (probably, in this order): location, age built, quality of construction/current condition, and square footage.

This is consistent with data from sources like Zillow, Redfin, and the local Santa Barbara Association of Realtors.However, when I go to "Pick Markets" and select Santa Barbara, the median home price listed is $620,000, which doesn’t align with what I’ve observed locally.

A great way to start is by attending RE events and joining a local investors association.

I just learned that Brandon Turner is no longer associated in BiggerPockets.

The Rental Property Association of Wisconsin is a resource for connections with contacts that own rental portfolios, legal presentations and resources, and contractors.

I would be comfortable to some degree as this would just be a saving plan of sorts.

@Chris Blackburn, while I can't speak to this specifically, there are a few red flags I see in your post.1: A Realtor has to be a member of the national association of realtors, an industry trade group primarily focused on your typical home buyer.  

STR means higher liability and risk for the property owner since it is often associated with higher insurance costs, more transient tenants that are not always viewed favorably by neighbors, as well other issues and risk.