I use an insurance broker who placed me with American Modern insurance. 

To me that actually seems like a very low price for duplex in San Diego, unless it was in dire need of some rehabbing or modernizing.

Modern Principles I is taking forever and it’s a bit depressing, honestly.

Hi Jeff,That's a great theoretical question, and one I used to ask myself when I was 15 years younger and fresh out of undergrad with "efficient market theory" "optimal capital structure" "modern portfolio theory" "increased returns are correlated with increased risk" and other articles of faith that had been passed off as fact by the professors in the economics department at my very prestigious college.A decade and half later I no longer buy into the idea that markets are efficient - neither stock markets, nor real estate.There is a deep divide between people who buy the theory and those who don't.

Would love the opportunity to drive a modern manual Porsche, I hear good things.

Straight from Modern Real Estate Practices(the newest edition)"When a person purchases real state that has an outstanding mortgage or deed of trust the buyer may take the property in one of two ways.

Like you said, unfortunately the plumbing is not modern and luxurious.

Look for markets that have growing populations, growing jobs, modern, diverse economies etc.

Shop at thrift stores for furniture and décor that you can update and modernize for cheaper than if you were to purchase modern décor from a top retail store.

@Stephanie Kerr  Try Benchmark Community Bank or New Republic.