Depends on state law and your lease.

If it's not in your name, it's not your responsibility.Now, you two get married, then that's a completely different picture, depending on how your jurisdiction handles community property.In any event, I'd suggest you find a local lender and get pre-qualified.

It depends on your financial circumstances.

Depending on the County in CA, the County may not let you pay the taxes if you are not on the deed. 

@Robert Bodmer Depending on where you will end up, VA house hack would be a great strategy. 

It is far safer to have 4 tenants paying rent on a single property than having to depend entirely on only 1 tenant paying on a SFH.

Sometimes, taking on a partner is a good thing if that partner can do what you can't do, don't want to do...or shouldn't do.Your best strategy depends on your long term plan. 

When it comes to neighborhoods, as with any city, where you end up (and which agent gets you where you're going) depends heavily on your priorities (commute time?

Sure he had to make some speculations on whether developing a new building would generate more cash flow, but he could easily calculate comps of nearby rentals, find out the cap rate and figure out whether the construction costs would exceed the value of the developed property.I wouldn't say hoping for natural appreciation is bad, it just depends on how much risk you are willing to take and how well you know the market.

Hey @Jared Baker I think it all depends on what you're trying to do... from the sounds of it it seems like you're looking to build a portfolio of rentals.