So far my goals are to talk to 1-3 new people a day on BP, look for potential deals, read a chapter in a RE book, etc. 

One of the reasons why I feel they were cooking the books and inflating costs.

Been reading up on the California Tenants guides. 

Here is the IRS guide on cost segregation:https://www.irs.gov/businesses/cost-segregation-au...You probably won't want to read through all those pages!

Thirdly, I know his book was written few years ago, but his example has $2400 gross rent per month on a $100K property (which he bought for $80K). 

I have been a home owner, and have owned rentals.I have educated myself with book, tapes (Carrolton Sheets lol ), seminars, Fortune builders, Rich Dad - Poor Dad, etc.

There are a ton of resources on here that will benefit you.Attend local REIA meetings and connect with like-minded investors: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetRead the Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingListen to the BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/

The first was J Scott’s book on cost estimating, and the second was Paul Rsajain’s book “Real Estate Rehab Investing Bible”.

Hi, I currently have a relationship with a property management company that has implemented a new accounting practice, that basically puts previous tenants accounts recievables to the property management company directly on the books of the property owners in the form of an expense.

Having read books like Rich Dad Poor Dad and Four Hour Workweek years ago, I've always been familiar with "getting money to work for you" via real estate.