Relation How did you finance this deal?

That is the KEY, having an awesome deal allows you to go to family/friends/investors and show them how their investment will get a solid return with relatively low risk. 

If annual maintenance can save me from replacing the deck in 7-10 years, and is relatively inexpensive, then I'll consider buying.

I'm targeting properties in the $100K - $200K price range, with the intention of using traditional mortgages for financing.From the outset, I do not plan to set up an LLC; first, because I don't think most banks will lend to an LLC, and secondly because I don't think such relatively small investments will arouse the attention of ambulance-chaser lawyers. 

Helicopter was cool but wife got motion sick. 

Income is directly related to social standards in most cases.

Hey Andrew,I have relatives who are also real estate investors from California.

Many members are experts in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate brokerage, wholesaling, flipping, buy and hold, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.There are some pretty cool discounts on various products and services offered as Perks to BP members that you might want to check out: https://www.biggerpockets.com/perks/pro

If you have questions specific to vacation rentals or related, I would be happy to try to answer them.

I think my bigger problem in deciding which one to go with is that they are both relatively good deals ( not amazing). but the financing will determine which one is better. one is offering seller financing at a great rate but huge down payment.