Plus, you get huge appreciation here based on how many companies are moving and developing here! 

Should I play harder and get into land development?  

Based on what you have explained here and assuming that all of it is true, than you really only have two options to get it rented1.

While I have grown my client base to a respectable number, I've struggled to gain consistent traction with realtors and property managers. 

Based off of the podcasts I am listening to and other property management professionals that I network with, that has been the experience of portfolios across the states. 

Personally I think there are good loans out there but people look for the "perfect" loan that fits their buy box and meets a desired return - which the return is going to be based on risk.So for many you cannot have your cake and eat it too. thoughts?

The buyers did a long inspection, multiple days... made a huge request for concessions based on what we knew to be purely made-up issues.

Based on the CU's loan calculator, we can finance that over 60 months for a $320 payment. 

Yeah, you don't want to try to house hack in LA based on the price points out there vs. what you can get most likely.

Look at median household incomes, look at market economy base and diversification, look at what's being done to protect and grow economic performance, just run the #'s and the message should be crystal clear.