However, California may not be the most favorable state for investment due to various reasons such as rent control, anti-landlord legislation, high costs, and high taxes.In this post, I will provide a straightforward process for selecting a city where:Rents outpace inflation: Inflation consistently erodes the purchasing power of a fixed amount of money.

Well, TESLA/PG&E have partnered to purchase the old power plant.  

Quote from @Dan Powers: @Ernest Wade It all depends on what kind of returns you are looking for.

That extra buying power will give me a better chance of finding a property within the area I’m looking in.

However since you are having zero luck then I am going to recommend older centers that are typically run by mom and pop owners techniques.

Never under estimate the power of good old fashioned fun in real estate.I have a couple questions/ideas for you. 

Provided your Sub2 purchase closing is done complete with all the necessary paperwork (e.g. limited power-of-attorney between the sellers and you), refinancing should be no different than a normal refinance.Sub2 can be heaven or hell, depending on the quality of your closing paperwork.

If you don't have water, sewer, and power at the property already, it will substantially limit how many units you could feasibility build even if 100% of the land was otherwise usable.

If you start pooling money from people who are not full partners (i.e. have decision making power), you will start to cross into the territory of securities, in which you will be subject to SEC rules.

One other tip is to let your listings expire and re-list that makes them not appear as 'aged and stale' - power users will check history and notice but you may get the attention of some and those that have recently setup alerts.