100% for 6 months is a lot of money.c) I and friends have quite a few Real Estate contacts in California.

Rodrigues' recommendation may change this), but my next question would be, are there any cities/markets where 1 of the following are true: 1) You have family/friends that live there, 2) You travel there frequently (either for vacation, work, etc.), or 3) Somewhere else you've lived before AND know the area well?

I bought this property with a private interest free loan from a friend. the person i bought it from need cash fast so i offered them a low cash offer and they accepted.I had enough money saved up to rehab the house with my savings.

Quote from @Dan Grove: Hi friends,I'm starting to build a portfolio of long term rentals using creative finance. 

This brings me to now, I've taken this approach and have used my own money in lending, but am also bringing in friends and family to take part in these transactions so they can earn way better returns than with CD's.

The fear of renting while out of town is common, but it's easy to overcome, especially when you have friends and a handyman.

Im even referring their properties to my friends and I look like a fool referring people who then see a scathing post from me.PLEASE remove the post. 

I like to build friendly relationships with other investors, and soon become one myself 

From leaving my home friends and family I met some really good people and I hoped to share that experience and learn more about realestate in the process How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I am looking to partner with a close friend of mine (we've worked together many times before with both of us in various roles) to primarily do rehabs for LTR and/or resale.