Actually Bugs we are seeing prices for 3/2 in MM at the 400k and below level now. As bad as people talk about MM it is a step up above 92113.
However people who are serious about generating income from rentals would be well served to listen to your point which is to use as little of your own money as possible.
In terms of my own search for possible rental investments I am sitting on the sidelines for awhile now. IMO San Diego does not pose many viable opportunity for rentals yet but they are slowly getting there. Actually Temec will get their first.