@Dennis Rodriguez and @John Truong - Thank you both for providing input.After the initial overwhelming response to my post (bad joke), my colleague referred me to www.thumbtack.com that facilitates meetings between investors/homeowners and service providers of all types.I will definitely get a few referrals from the local REIA, as well.Wish me luck!

While you can’t completely control who applies to live in your properties, you most definitely can find areas that are popular with students, young professionals, families, etc. 4) just as important as finding the property, you need to have an exit strategy in mind for the property.

But you could also call the city and they'll tell you definitively.

But I don't think roommate income is a thing, and existing roommate income definitely isn't a thing if it's an apartment you're renting.I recommend you find a local mortgage broker who does conventional loans, give him/her a call, and ask to have a conversation about your borrowing limit *before* going through the pre-approval process.

I’m definitely NOT looking to invest here in California - but I don’t know where I want to look yet. 

Definitely not moving forward. 

Definitely be careful, as most nationwide brokers will incorrectly rate you for traditional property management insurance, which almost always applies to LTRs and specifically excludes STRs in the fine print. 

By definition a lessee/tenant isn't an owner. 

I went from 0 to 12-doors in just 2.5 years because I was able to force equity and refinance out.It's definitely more capital intensive and will feel slower at the beginning.

I've had a passion to work for myself ever since I was young, and after starting my own "Pressure washing" business a little over a year ago,  I have found Real Estate to become a very heart driven path for me (Considering I work on houses).