I too was not thrilled with the mundane 9-5 existence.

Its a gamble but most things in homes are. 

California is not the market for cash flow, it is the market for appreciation which is speculation (gambling).

Either  1) You have the money to be cashflow negative (including mortgage) for a hold and flip with appreciation (gamble) 2) If you had the skills, you could find fixer-uppers and flip or improve equity and hold (safer) 3) Or you could be new developments that are ready in 1-2 years and flip them which I have done quite successfully.

While we were never overtly irresponsible with money (i.e. gambling debt, drug habits, credit cards, expensive cars), we moved many times, did PhDs, and spent the better part of our 20's and 30's doing things that might have been personally enriching, but were at some level exploitative of our time and not financially beneficial.

Plus I have flipped cars for years and love the thrill of the hunt.

This is perhaps a larger gamble.  

If I could hit just one I would be thrilled hahaha

I would be thrilled.

Actual cost $500I’m 95% thrilled (5% upset with the potential crookedness of the original plumber).Thanks BP!