No SSAE16-Soc II report on file, No E&O, no regulatory body governing them, no audited financials, no policies and procedures on NPPI data, etc.) they aren't going to be able to call an institutional lender/servicer/bank to buy a note.Our diatribe ends up being to the benefit of the OP.

@Pari Rizwan I don't have a clue as to what your goals in the real estate industry are so I would have no way of knowing if a sales agent license would be of a benefit to you.

Could be that it's a lot easier to fill a 3/2.Almost every month there is some small repair needed (e.g. plumbing).The benefit of being in the area is that I could meet with the property manager in person and build a way better connection like that.

Over the years I have always been bringing it up to my wife how much of a benefit house hacking would be for us financially down the road. 

Flipping sounds sexy, but its a job more than it is investing and you don't reap the tax benefits of owning real estate long term doing that.

Fortunately, I don't work full-time because I receive veteran education benefits that cover the basic costs of living.

If you put that towards the purchase of a 3-4 unit building you intend on living in and renting out the other apartments, California real estate investing is well within your reach.I regret putting these terrific benefits to work while I was in the Army.

One of the best benefits in real estate is your ability to physically effect your investments and change outcomes to an extent with preparation and research. 

You may even be able to capture some of the tax benefits of the solar on your house.

Example income property ROI calculation: 7% cashflow + 3% market appreciation + 5% tax savings & benefits + 4% loan paydown by tenant + 3% inflation-profiting / debt erosion = 22% ROICompare this to a mutual fund ROI with dividend in a taxable account: 7% capital gains + 2% dividend - 1% expense ratio - 1% - 1% cash drag = 6% ROIIt still makes more sense to invest in positive cash flowing real estate, especially with bonus depreciation in the tax code for the next few years.