Wait out the lease and simply choose not to renew.

However I do have some questions that may be relevant no matter what country you are in so please feel free to pass along any advice :) I am currently looking at purchasing my first property and I have done a fair bit of homework, but I am looking for some experienced guidance on choosing my best option to start out.

Which one do you choose?

More importantly is your reputation, whether you realize it yet or not.

@Jacob Beemer It depends on which exit you choose.

We also get listings from 5-6 local wholesalers daily but pick and choose what we think is good once I run comps. 

Sounds like you won't really get any say in layout and finishes unless you make changes with the contractor you choose? 

So when I listed both units on Craigslist I had somewhere between 30 to 40 showings and through the tenant screening company I used to perform the background check, the employment history, the credit check and so on, I was able to hand pick based on the evidence before me who I'd choose to inhabit the units.  

The great thing about being busy is we pick and choose who we work with and if its a good fit for everyone, then we love flipping homes.

The 3-day period begins the day after the notice was posted and mailed.)If the tenant doesn't pay, it's time to file an Unlawful Detainer lawsuit.For what it's worth, I realize California has a notoriously bad reputation for being tenant-friendly (and that may be more true in some parts of the state than others).