Some people saying if you don't have a 700 credit score don't bother even trying.

The lender will want a basic credit score (I believe they just want to make sure you are "sound" financially) and you need to show some liquidity. 

San Diego is a long play and utilizing the VA loan to pick up a property you can truly enjoy AND house hack for less than the monthly of a small apartment is pretty incredible.

What worked for me as to building credit is to have a secured line of credit, have a parent or guardian apply for a credit card under your name and have them co-sign, they can pay the phone bill with it and pay off the credit card every month and you'll eventually have a high enough credit score where you can apply for an unsecured personal loan and pay the minimum payments every month.

One thing that I think needs to not be overlooked is credit score.

If you aren't having much luck qualifying for financing figure out where you need to be in regards to income and credit score and work to get there.

I'd like to buy this place but I don't have enough of a down payment or a high enough credit score, although my credit score will show I have not made a late payment in the year since I started building it.

I would call a banker cause it will be pretty specific to your credit score, dti, w-2, assets etc. etc. 

I have a 750 credit score and I believe my range would be about $700,000 give or take so I feel like I'm in a good position, but I really need to lockdown my research. 

That's incredibly assumptive on your part.That said, IF there is a tenant on a property, everyone, everywhere, must follow the law to have them removed legally if they are not abiding by the terms of the lease.