Welcome to BP @Madeline Perello Since you are new I suggest you check out the Free Ultimate beginners Guide under the education tab above.

Best/first thing to do is get educated.

Also it could allow you to work at least part time in property management, which would be a great education for the aspiring rental property owner.

I always use that to show them why this isn't a great idea.How do I educate them (podcasts and articles would help) about the perks to wholesaling/walking for dollars etc?

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

I started my real estate journey back in November 2016 so many completed items (mainly educational) are not listed. 

I apparently don't understand, despite being educated at the post-graduate degree level,  how to ask a question via post and get a supportive, helpful answer to a landlord problem.

@Stacey Long Welcome to BP and congrats on taking the first step; educating yourself!

If fees are too low, I would suggest keeping them the same for at least one to two years, then slowly incorporate increases.If you pay cash, make sure that you have some sort of clawback ($$) for a certain amount of time if accounts leave in XXXX days.Will the owner stay a certain amount of time to help in the transition?

For local education and networking you have Delreia.com, www.wghp.net, and another group that meets at the Green Turtle in Christiana on the last Thursday of the month.