You pay in full the day of the auction.

I roughly had to pay a month’s rent for that maintenance issue.

Current negotiation from LL Commercial lease Monthly Rent $6000 Security Deposit will be $7000 (based on last month rent of the lease term)Six Month Build Out Period - June 1 to Dec 31, 2024 Lease to start January 1, 2025. 5 year term During the build out period the tenant would pay $3000 per month rent (June 1 to December 31, 2024)The balance of $18,000 from the build out period would be paid back over 12 months at $1500 per month on a separate agreement.

How do you find these distressed home owners without paying a ton of money for some of these lists?

You first bill them and see if they'll pay. 

We're currently saving up enough for a 20% down for a conventional loan to bypass having to pay for PMI and MIP, as these 2 additional monthly expenses are a "make it or break it", in finding a cash flowing property in California.I would love to know what your story was like when you first started your real estate investing journey!

As long as you can hold onto the property you can continue to get the appreciation, principal pay down, tax benefits etc.

If you are worried about something reasonable, you could pay someone to drive by the property every month.

Also they may need proceeds from home to pay for other liabilities.but let’s be honest when a family member passes away do people want the money from the estate immediately or they thinking to get it paid over decades?

So all of my income goes toward paying down the principle.