Searching MLS there are definitely things in our price range (250k and under) and with the features we like. (3 BR at least for owner unit is really the only criteria as we work from home and have a little girl, and decent school system) Any tips, pointers, thoughts on buying in the area?

If you want to grab some cheaper properties with decent returns, you can search thru areas like 38127/38128 but you'd want to thoroughly check the street and comps.

I’m mainly searching for a mentor in the local area.

Find the county recorders records for the county where the property is located and start searching. 

For example, the search for a duplex to house-hack one unit and rent out the other can be substantially different than the search for a 20 unit non-owner occupied property.

Hi new investor here in San Diego I am in search of teaming up with an  investor-friendly real estate agent in the San Diego area looking for someone that can help with market analysis and queries. .

Good luck with your search!

Thanks Jim Goebel, Cara Lonsdale, and Frank Chin for your input.I've also read while doing a search one individual replaced one furnace with an electric furnace which would work.

I have been searching and searching looking for an answer before ripping it out, and ton of people go back and forth on it. 

They'd have to search in two places and probably would have to know what they're looking for.For most people, this doesn't matter.