I would suggest doing a lot of research.

Would love to hear your ideas and suggestions.

San Diego historically has had a great ROI for buy and hold investors so I think it has been an easy market. clearly I think San Diego is a good to great RE market but I suggest you look up San Diego RE appreciation for any duration you desire and calculate the return assuming 25% down.  

People I've spoken to have suggested it sounds like a scam, because the company just wants my details, then apparently they are going to create a fake identity in my name, and put me in debt..

"The best laid plans of mice and men""Patience is a virtue"First I may suggest to envision your end game, to own a smooth running, cost mitigating and profitable MFB( multi-family-buliding), MRB( multi-residential-building) or could it also be a MUCB ( multi-unit-commercial-building)?

Also this post is in no way meant to advocate any practice or business plan anyone else plans to do.As always I wish the best in your decisions.SIDE NOTE: I notice you are in Canada, my information is even less valid than the disclaimer would suggest

Any suggestions on how I could start?

I don't have excellent credit, but do have good credit -- 680-690.

Can anyone suggest where I might go to get a loan at just slightly higher interest rates so that I can still make decent margins renting the property?

Do anyone have an excel sheet that they are using?