It has a low money entry point, less out of pocket.

As I am looking at these deals what price range would you say is the entry point for a single family investment property?

If they are selling FSBO they could have paid a small fee to an "entry only" listing company, to show up in MLS.Hope this helps

This attitude and commitment will allow you to glean as much about the industry as is possible AND establish great rapport with the company.If you are handy then an entry position could be on the handy-work side of things (either doing initial assessments, fixing flappers, or just dispatching to the contractors because you can speak their language).

When the batteries in them die, which they frequently will on the exterior entry doors, and your tenant(s) gets locked out, they're SOL until the PM gets there to change the batteries.

There are a ton of entry-level inside sales or corporate recruiting opportunities out here in Denver that pay a decent base (40-60K) as well as great commission.

Also fairly low barrier to entry How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

One of the main challenges is just BREAKING into the industry.The barrier to entry is very high.

With that being said, he quoted to seal off the basement area to rodent entry & to repair the siding as needed (without painting) it would be their cost of materials +20% markup and a labor rate of $130.00 per man-hour.Does this sound reasonable? 

I've lived in CA myself as well - and there was no opportunity for investments there at my entry level.