It’s like winning lottery - you take lump sum or annualWhen people say well banks do it, the banks can make a $100,000 loan with only $10,000 (fractional lending - which you and I cannot do).

I haven't personally house hacked a room, but I do know some people who have.

With that said, I would define your niche if you haven't already to help people only in that sector.

I don't think @Don Konipol was being sarcastic he just answered your post with basically the only answer there is. 

Great spot to get started and plenty of awesome people to help you on your journey!

Would talk to people about partnering if you want to stay in the CA market, not pushing you away from out of state.. but there are deals here that cashflow and make sense too. 

I can get you in touch with the right people for most projects. 

I live and invest in Charlottesville and I can tell you that the market has basically ground to a halt.

(But it wasn't apples to apples.)I looked at AirDNA's data recently and don't disagree with their broad picture but again, people here know that the details and other factors can tell a different story and bring success for some in the same area (comparables) and loss for others.I'm all about reducing risk and my read on climate data and global economies (& yes, politics) incline me toward continued investment in properties that have multiple channels of revenue, above a certain latitude, and more upscale.

@Dan Bowe - The truth it, you need real life experience prior to taking other people's money.