Hi Andrew - I use Reliant Energy (https://www.reliant.com) for the rental portfolio I own and the rentals I manage for others.You can ask Reliant for a month-to-month contract, instead of a 1 year contract. 

I use Ziprent property management to find new tenants.

Also, you get a great app that they built to manage all of your deals.

I am an appriaser, property manager, realtor, and investor with rehab crew.

-If you have 10k for a downpayment it's good that you are thinking about having reserves, but you also have to think about closing cost, if you are worried about not having tenants having a couple months' rent would be ideal-If you are new to real estate, start reading books, listening to podcasts, analyze deals, learn the tenant screening process, property management, see how you could mitigate the risk on the house hack, find an exit strategy, but most of all have patience.

I'm an investor, property manage and agent in Savannah, GA.

I've managed to house hack my way to owning a fully paid-off 2-bedroom, 1-bath, 900-square-foot home valued at approximately $67,500.

Are there any Seasoned Vets in the California Bay Area who would be willing to mentor / advise a newbie whom only has a strong background in all things Construction and Maintenance?

Hi David,(1) I don't have much to invest ($280-$350k) and would want to diversify across different properties anyway (some DSTs are diversified, and I can probably pick up three different DSTs with my proceeds);(2) no direct participation in managing properties (tired of it);(3) illiquidity is not an issue (looking for a 7-10 or longer horizon, will need some cash 8-20 years down the road to fund the kids' college);(4) prefer paper investments in general, would be able to hedge declines in the real estate market with financial instruments (have a Ph.D. in finance and a CFA designation, but a newbie to RE exchanges).

I like Single Tenant Buildings because they are almost hassle free with no ongoing fees for operations or management etc Hope this helps