I am still working all the smaller details out but for the most part I have my plan of attack so to speak ready to go.  

Main employers?

Main tenant on the ground floor is a post office---and they just signed a 10yr lease, paying $ $883.50 monthly rent until May of 2021; rates go up to $945.33 from June 2021 to end of lease May 2026.There is a small residential unit on the ground floor with a stable tenant (4yrs).

I recently passed my RE exam, which I mainly pursued because of wanting to buy more investments, but I'm also interested in managing properties for others.I'm located in CA which requires one to have a broker license for PM, however I have seen a few PM's who do not have a broker license, but are owners of PM companies operating under someone else's broker license.I have yet to find a broker who allows this so wanted to see if anyone here has any information on how this works and where I should look?

I've looked at a few buildings from 6-10 units between on or around Main St, between Victoria Ave and Gage Park, the cash flow is usually pretty good, but the tenant profile isn't the greatest. 

We are looking forward to doing some light wholesaling and maybe some flips eventually but my main goal is to target the passive income stream and get enough rentals to supplement our retirement plans.

My husband and I own a duplex just across the Maine border in Somersworth, NH.

I'm guessing as people have  already pointed out that since "most" banks require MLS activity on the short sales making money directly off them is not the main strategy.  

The main difference was the speed on approving the loan, and flexibility on the property condition.Good luck!

If you would like to get together there is a great investor Meetup on Thursday mornings at 7am at Valencia Luncheria on Main Ave in Norwalk.