I'm still solidly in the learning stage and would really appreciate any tips on starting, getting realistic expectations, and next steps.I currently make ~52k/year, I know it's not a whole lot especially out here in California.

At this stage, it probably is in my best interest find some people who can nudge me in the right direction or, at the very least, keep me from going in the wrong direction.

For someone doing the final stage of a big brrrrrrr recently, writing it off up-front (bad for mortgage purposes) v depreciating it over several years (good for mortgage purposes) was an $80,000 difference. $80k less in expenses isn't much different than $80k of income. $80k makes a huge difference... and this wasn't tax fraud or anything shady, 100% legit.

Tenant left with a PGW bill of $5000 plus. I am in Landlord Cooperation Program but still unsure if a lien will go against my property since the amount might of accrued before entering in their program. Tenant is dem...

Try negotiate a compromise - only $100 pet rent total (although $100/m for a cat seems excessive to me, especially when if they charge security deposit and pet deposit/fee), maybe half the pet deposit/fee.6.

@Allen C Herring at this stage in your life, personally, I'd be looking for a multi-unit close to turnkey and around market value.

When you find excessive expenses, you might have found a big opportunity to increase the value of the building.

Congrats for being at this stage in your 20s! 

Deeper value add at this stage in the cycle IMHO is akin to what we saw in 2007/8.

I'm new to investing and still in the learning stages.We are in the early stages of building a new home and had originally planned to sell our current home to make the down payment - otherwise, we don't have the cash.I'm now considering simply taking out a home equity loan on the current home for the down payment on our new build.