Consequently, you're indirectly working as an employee rather than an investor.

As Zillow (and Redfin) collects and aggregates sales data I think they have much more data now to analyze - and they have the ability to analyze all that info - and come up with a more accurate sales price (for an "average condition" property) better than an appraiser or real estate agent could (especially in locations that are more populated and have more sales data).If you're renovating though, specifically looking for ARV, I would trust a good real estate agent more than I would Zillow/Redfin because "condition" is a data point Zillow simply can't analyze (remodeled kitchen/baths, master suite, modern updates, style/condition of flooring).

You'll have to put 15-25% down - depending on the loan product/lender - and will pay a higher interest rate than an owner occupied loan. 

Will they pay more to be in a house than an apartment even if they share a room? 

Sure, lofty goals are great, but you might want to consider financial advisor for advice like this rather than an accountant.  

David Greene always tells us that purchasing a property in Cali should be the first objective (ideally a househack), only go out of state if you exhausted being able to purchase a house in California first.  

Vacuum the lint out of the dryer exhaust.

Best auto dialer is MoJo for sure.Better than an auto dialer is a ringless voicemail drop. 

This will tie up your money, but it will let you cash out sooner than an FHA would.

That probably cost me a lot of money, but I'm OK with that.The only thing worse than an ambulance chaser is a hearse chaser.