@Aron Shreiber welcome, there is a bunch of good info here, in general I like the advise of "looking where you ave an advantage" whatever that advantage is can be a broad range. 

We live in San Diego and have been saving up to invest in our first property.

I will send you a message with his info. 

I would read that book and the book “BRRRR” also by David Greene before you even hire another contractor it will save you tons of money.Yes it would be very helpful if you could let us know who the contractor is so we could stay away.GOOD LUCK 

Wow this was great info to know!

@Sean Ross Thanks for the info.

But there are a couple of investors in there that will answer all the questions you may have into how to get started, how to maximize your profits, how to save on taxes, and it just encourages you to buy in the Real Estate Asset.

Hopefully, the little info I put out helped. 

The mess that we took over was substantial - no leases, little contact info, and no idea what the security deposits were.

(Plus the interest and heartache you’ll save.)You could wait a few months until snow starts to melt, school’s about to let out and builders are getting ready to start going wild.