Sadly this is the reality if you are looking with an agent who only looks at the MLS. If something is on the MLS for more than 3 days and there are not 20 offers, it's not a deal. I used to be in the Fresno market but got out a couple years ago. Start looking for opportunities to add value. ADUs, adding footage, major fixers.
If you have to put down 75% on a property to make it work, that 75% is lost opportunity. At 5% interest that you can get at a bank now, you'll get more cash flow sticking it there. You lose any appreciation play, but you also lose a downside loss when the market dips. Anyone that says the market won't slow/reverse is ignoring history and you can say the same about people who always say the stock market goes up and so does bitcoin. At some point, you'll be on the wrong buying and selling side and it'll be a loss.
I can't see buying in CA unless something turns.
