If anyone is looking for a leg man in this area.

If you're looking in Orange County, I'd be happy to help you with this.

I also am great with tools.My other thought is to work with a local investor in Orange County, CA, maybe doing his/her rehabs while I learn the ropes of investing?

Disneyland is in Orange County.

It seems like buying from a wholesaler could be a good option as someone else is doing the leg work of finding the place for me.

I work in Orange County, CA and we are now seeing builders offering up to 10% just for the buyers agent to bring a buyer!

I suppose if you have lots of problems with the house and have the money for several $50.00 copays then they could be a good thing, because electricians, plumbers, etc all charge an arm and a leg just to come out not to mention the $75.00 an hour the charge; so I guess it depends on your circumstances.Susan

But if you really want to feel pain then just pay me $100 bucks and I'll give you a swift kick between the legs.

I don't think that the seller's agent has a leg to stand on....although you may have been approved based on your w-2 income, if you were using any rental income to qualify for the loan, then your 1040's will come into the equation, and if you have a lot of deductions, then that will reduce your income and may have been enough to kick you out of the parameters of the loan guidelines.

I know you guys are very knowledgable and would be so great if you can just lend me some words of wisdom.As for the court house auctions -- how do I check out all the outstanding liens without paying an arm/leg to the title insurance company and in case I did not even win the bid, I would have lost a few hundred dollars just for doing a title search?