That is a concern I share, giving up the low interest rate and some cash flow on the LTR’s.

My long term tenant (a family friend) is moving out and I am concerned how to make sure I pre-screen future tenants effectively without violating any laws. background: this property used to be my primary home and had a very informal agreement with a family friend to rent from me in the mean time.

However, one concern with newbies is attempting to self-manage in high crime areas.

Cosmetic issues like the one's you explained do not pose an inhabitability concern.

But I draw the line when there is risk of damage to the property, annoyance to the neighbors, health concerns, pests, etc.

I currently enjoy my full time job in health care, but would love to cut down on my hours in another 5-10 years.

Open to La Mesa and West Chula Vista, although I have concerns that they will be tougher to appeal to MTR.

Lenders have liability in baiting borrowers, with disclosures, rejecting loans, in giving loans, or collection and servicing requirements, liability concerns are huge compared to real estate, violations carry ten years in prison and/or $100,000.00 fines, you better know what you are doing, and there are many brokers out there running small shops that have little if any compliance awareness.

I think my skills in mental health counseling and healthcare management are going to be surprisingly relevant to real estate investing (at least I hope so). 

For the most part its just health and safety items, which are items we should have remedied anyways.As someone else mentioned, biggest thing to avoid is having the house tagged as vacant which the city will do if it sits empty for too long (handful of months, grass not cut, etc).