When you pay it off early (or minimize your leverage) you lose this benefit and your returns go down. 

Whatever you spend/waste on rent will be more than made up from taking your time and finding the right house / area etc. 

If damages are really high above the deductible then you might want to file but know the insurance will always try to disallow the claim altogether or minimize payout.  

This kinds of problems develop when landlords chase money, in this case, by trying to minimize vacancy costs.Depending on the rental market, "moving on" and finding another place to live at this late date might be difficult. 

Does anyone know places in California to start investing for rentals with 10k and minimal education?

FWIW, all drain/waste plumbing in the house is PVC, including the main sewer line.... right up until it disappears!

It looks like your cash flow will be minimal at best.  

The key for us is not eating out, minimal travel, and budgeting.Also, we drive old, reliable cars like early 2000s Honda's and Toyota's that I've paid $3500 and $2000 for. 

My goal is to minimize the amount of paperwork my lender will need to fill out and process.1.

I just don't want to waste his time or mine and not have any direction on how I'm going to give and get value.