I have a loan broker who can help with 2nd position mortgages and I would only look for properties with high loan balances to avoid that scenario altogether. 

within the next 3 - 6 months duplex /triplex in or around my area although  the funds are week due to a high DTIalthough i have a 740 credit score, some larger purchases/ home improvements ,solar /roof /windows  have led me down the borrow pay later mentality..

Are people still investing is San Diego or have the high interest rates and low cash flow moved investors to other markets?

@Jacqueline Lee, I highly recommend you find a local REIA group to you.  

One of my high school buddies actually house-hacked there back in 2019. 

Super high interest but if you're only talking 30 days or less, shouldn't be too expensive. 

Your taking risk and though it can work allocate more to variable expenses than if you high graded things because overtime they will work out that way. 

Not sure if you will see this since it's been a while but either way, thank you for sharing information that paints a more accurate picture!

if you don't mind roommates, consider a house hack to off set the mortgage costs. if you do that, get leases signed by those roommates as it'll help your financing picture for the next property as you'll have shown the ability to operate as a landlord.  

But prices are very high.