Confirm they can afford the new rent rate, that they are not criminals, etc.2.

Well bad news a Conventional Owner occupied 2-4 unit is a 15%-25% down payment, even with a Conventional Affordable 2-4 unit the down payment is 15%.

My wife did a fantastic job on the decorating and we built some custom-made furniture.

My wife did a fantastic job on the decorating and we built some custom-made furniture.

I've yet to see how much mortgage we could prequalify for but we likely couldn't afford anything over $300,000. 

Keep improving the fixtures, furniture, etc.

If you can afford the downpayment on a multifamily in San Diego, no matter what kind of loan, it's a great way to get into the rental market.

However, I'm curious if anyone has recommendations for timely, affordable, and investor-friendly contractors that are great with bathroom remodel, putting in counter tops / cabinets, and drywall patching / repair.

No, I cannot afford to do so for many reasons, including the following:Marketing - You cannot just post a listing on Craigs List and hope to find the right tenant.

In my enthusiasm, I overlooked an important element about getting a reliable, trustworthy and affordable local rehab crew.