I hate the idea of waiting 4 years to get started, but I’m not sure I have a good alternative without tying up my capital or landing in a negative cash flow position on something more “move-in-ready”.

Here are some alternative schooling options.

For a rational player to buy a home, it must be superior to other alternatives. 

Alternatively, you could offer to pay for an easement for the stair case from the neighbor.

Alternatively, can you find a cosigner to help you make it work while you're establishing yourself and making the move from "unemployed" to "self-employed"?

I understand the Biggerpockets push and those are very useful but an alternative you can check out too (don't shoot the messenger) iswww.houseflippingspreadsheet.c...Again just providing options, please don't ban me!

Also anyone know whats the alternative for skip tracing in Canada, how do i get the owners info?

This is a very profitable way to operate in the context of the Bay Area where there is a severe housing shortage and people have few alternatives.

The bottom line, is that there is no one gauge or tool and you must do your own research and "comps", using as many tools and techniques as possible, to get the most accurate actionable data. unless you have a trustworthy competent realtor/broker on your team, that is already doing that for you.I am not realtor or broker.

Sounds like a good technique to teach my kids.