I don't think you are actually cashflowing now, and if you refinance, you'll go even more negative.

Check the specific homes' tax payment, the neighborhood, other public records.Now, I spend time to run statistics of the MLS data to see what is a price range I can consider.

Think like the owner and think of all the negatives of owning this complex.

It's just I live in LA and whatever I found, usually has negative cash-flow , but i will keep looking...maybe i will find the gem :)

Those that see raising rents and risking losing a tenant a negative generally are not on top of their business and prefer to lose a little every month rather than face the unknown.

I do know San Diego is pretty strict against short term rentals so obviously look up what their regulations are.You mentioned a granny flat and splitting the house, so if you're going to be having some sort of shared walls it may be best to put that in your listing as I have seen some people get negative remarks by not mentioning that the house is shared with the owner or some other tenant.As well as lining up two to three excellent cleaning crews, the easiest way to ruin your profit is to start receiving negative reviews for cleanliness and or falsely advertising what your place really is.

Is this having a negative impact on housing and the economy in Caldwell?

But one thing that i like to try to do is turn negatives into positives.

Does that statistic hold true for your rentals? 

With $35K in student loans, your net worth is still negative $25K.