There are pets in the complex but owners are required to pick up and dispose of waste properly.

I am just getting started into RE investing and I am currently living in a place that I am renting for the next 5 months til I get my first property, but I want to learn as much as I can before I get that first property so do you think it’s a good idea for me to work for a property management company so I can learn the ins and outs about being a landlord and dealing with issues in properties and learning how to solve them like toilets or garbage disposals?

His staff and himself along with his resources that he has accrued over the years will be at my disposal.

So the monetized installment sale would be best only if:a) the seller wants a simple cash exit without paying capital gains tax (until after 30 years)b) you can line up your own purchase financingOr, maybe the seller would benefit by using this approach to dispose of other properties they own that are not the ones you wish to buy.

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.