Can’t you use one of the government programs which help young people buy their first flat?

So, someone who wanted that new flat screen need only pick-up the phone and say- "I decided to put this months rent to a new TV- use my security deposit."

They either stick with it and then graduate to Rentals or they give up on it altogether. 

Just flat out savings. 

If you have a busted shanty, some flat clear spaces and a fire pit which couldn't make it on AirBNB, list it on Hipcamp.

It also is helpful to have a California LLC in case you ever sell that property and move into another state so that you do not need to form a new LLC altogether with new operating agreement, just re-register in the new state as a new foreign LLC.

It looks like your contractor gave you a flat price bid to fix/replace all of the bricks and mortar, point all 4 sides of your house. 

In your case, I’m assuming you want a flat fee or monthly percentage of rents Without paying too much in acquisition cost.

Unless you buy low or put a significant deposit down there is a risk of cash flow being flat or negative.

Jumbo mortgages are different animal altogether because after a short period of time, that principal is due.