Sheets of 7/16" OSB around here have been around $17, and then you have removal, disposal, installation and quite possibly a trip to the store. 

This also has the effect of slowly improving your tenant pool by adding people with more disposable income. 

I have startup capital at my disposal (low 6 figures) and a practical approach to purchasing and selling.

Thank you for your service and congratulations on taking the first steps towards REI and financial freedom.While CA can be a tough market, you have a few powerful tools at your disposal many do not.

That said, I try and avoid ceiling fans, garbage disposals and appliances more generally to minimize those sort of calls.

While it's annoying to have bad contractors or property managers, all people are disposable in those positions and you can hire new ones.

*I am in the state of Florida; all counties do keep online depositories and there are MANY other resources at our disposal (can’t be sharing sources now can I?). 

But what I struggle with is that I am at such an early stage in my education that I don't have these folks at my disposal yet. 

I haven't met a single tenant in 20 years, and have no desire to start :).Also like you holding tight works for me currently, and perhaps I will even hold indefinitely absent some unforeseen future event that might dictate I dispose of them.

Use the rest of your disposable income to save up for properties.