The residential units should cover the basic expenses leaving the office space downstairs as my upside.  

Jobs will rarely give you the kind of money you need to invest, but if you can mix hard money, crowdsourcing, business credit, and one-to-one private money, you can focus your attention on buying houses below market value and either flipping them or rehabbing them, renting them, and refinancing them.I prefer the second method because it allows me to keep a flow of cash growing behind me, but to make it work you need the best deals so you never have to leave your money in the deal.

I would like to work my local market in California but what sellers ask for doesn't seem to leave me with any working deals and working direct to sellers/buyers out of state has its limitations.Would you advise to persevere in California working direct with parties or taking the virtual approach in a different market?

As @JD Martin mentioned, if a tenant intentionally does damage as they leave, that could be considered a crime.

If you are willing to show faster, that would be appreciated.When a showing is scheduled, we prefer you leave the property so potential buyers can view and talk without interruption.

Recently, she has put up a "dog run" outside and apparently leaves him outside unattended for long periods of time.

Ideally, I'd like to buy several more properties and leave the desk and have rental income provide for me and my family. 

But make sure to continue saving and to leave some money in the savings for a rainy day.

I did just leave a message for the upstairs tenant letting her know the mention it and asked if she had rugs/rug pads. 

I want to leave NY, and I am not sure what to do.