As a first-time investor, does it make sense to explore getting a fourplex in CA? 

Check the CA Landlord and Tenants Handbook for guidelines and speak to an eviction attorney.  

My experience is in capital markets and acting as an agent in California, but am looking to buy a rental property for myself in Columbus, Ohio. 

@Jaysen Medhurst,  i am in california, but was checking to invest in Atlanta area.

Do you think 2020 will be a good year for home flips, if so what numbers are you expecting on your RIO, and if not what problems do you believe will occur?

What complicates matters for me is I am licensed in California, and my employing broker doesn't allow me to do my own deals :( Since I can't represent myself as an agent, I thought about using the dual agency method.

Here goes anyways  In commercial cash flow is King.

BUT the trade off is you purchase the property usually close to market value.If you want to get a house cheap or below market, then CASH is KING.

@Jeremy RacheskyI know several in Southern California if you're willing to work remotely. 

While my area/market is different from yours, I'm sure not that much since it's not California or New York where it's much tougher to find cash flowing properties for cheap.