It's the easiest way to try being a landlord without dealing with tricky renovation projects.

Sry if I misunderstood your first post, but you haven't said what it is you're trying to do here yet.

I have no insight into the San Diego market but try to buy a 2-4 unit if that is a thing there. 

I don't exactly understand why you wouldn't want to either get a second mortgage, or try to take a heloc out. 

The point I'm trying to make is that there are plenty, if not, WAY MORE great opportunities to cash-flow "off the beaten path" if you get to know the city better.

They're created by the brokers that are trying to sell the property. 

Trying to understand the Net Profits Tax structure and filing and I have a few questions:1) My understanding is that out-of-state rental income is subject to NPT though a credit is applied for any taxes paid to another locality (state tax not included).

They now require 24 hr care and he is trying to avoid selling his home to pay the $65k that is owed.

Not trying to be a jerk, but you have a better chance of surviving when jumping out of a plane at 10,000 ft without a parachute than remotely managing a class D rental from afar. 

Again all of this varies depending on what you are trying to do, and other financial aspects related to you, but these are common aspects of deals, funding etc.