Do I rely on someone else to do the rehab (against my nature as I just completely gutted and rehabbed our personal residence from top to bottom).

I'm new and afraid to buy someone else's problem property by mistake-Trying to figure out: Do I invest in a small 2-4 plex now, maybe in Sacramento and save the rest of my money or do I think about investing trying to build a team (PM, GC, Broker, etc) in Bakers Field, or even out of state. 

If it’s on the ceiling and in good condition, there’s no risk until you start renovating and messing with it.Of course, your city may be different, but there’s no federal disclosure laws.

And like every one else I paid my state income state in Oregon in December to get the full write off..

Quite frankly, if it does, then it's worth whatever you think you should pay for it, not what anyone else thinks.As for Zillow's estimate, if you cannot find any comps then how are they getting their value? 

Take the pets photo, get proof of insurance, shot card registration, rabies and whatever else makes you safe and then I have no problem renting to pets.If they pass that inspection show up at their current residence and ask to go inside and inspect for pet damages.

Most of the academic research I've seen suggests that its becoming more and more of an option as a "starter home" that gets people out of apartment buildings.I'd be curious if you have heard/read something else.

I was graduating college and I either had the choice to start my own business or get a job.I really didn’t want to work for anyone else.

I've spent most of my adult life fixing things and its what I enjoy doing and want to help someone else out in their real estate journey as well!  

In that case his $5K is earning him $50/month for 6 months and then he gets his $5K back, he earned $250 or 5% in 6 months on his $5K, that's better than anywhere else he could have put that money.