Property crime is more of an issue than violent crime. 

Ie a property with 0 repairs required, then a house with small repairs, then a full remodel flip  that included adding and permitting new bathrooms, removal of walls, doors, windows etc etc. 

Talk to the blue genie; and get a CCW permit.

New builds are fine, but in my opinion you're just buying something with all the priced in factors and it doesn't mean they won't have issues.

Investing in real estate is a lot easier when you don't have health issues, look and feel great, and have tons of energy. 

I think you would want your family to have access to money as well since there are payments due and a lot of money might be tied up in probate (this could create an issue) - life insurance and/or a shared business account could allow for payments to be made until the regular accounts are easily accessible 

Good luck Only issue is, I'm 18 and renting w my family.

If ever there was cause to come together and fight for better enforcement laws, the issue of squatters is it. 

The amount of time you will waste trying to dance around the issues will be legenday and shall I say, "insisting on being right (or insulted) when you don't know the answer can be costly".I was planning on getting a CPA, but not knowing the right questions to ask of someone who I don't exactly trust yet (as a new customer) isn't the best way to go about things.

Cali is a tough market and a ballers market, depending on where in the state but there's plenty of zones in Cali where a real estate deal will cost way more than 75k, I also here the permitting process is a pure headache out there.