=)Most Southern Californians are perfectly happy purchasing their first piece of real estate to "achieve the American dream" or for another emotional reason.  

I will definitely be looking at the finance side much deeper.

The provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks, so these animals are not considered service animals.

It should be less emotion driven and they can help you understand the market a little better. 

As a rule of thumb, if you're sitting at 70-75% cost  to value, you're in good shape.Buying properties like this should not be an emotional ride. 

When looking deeper into the county records, it shows that the property is owned by a Realty company, not an individual.

It can also go even deeper -- what if the loan AND the servicing are BOTH sold, BUT the original lender authorizes the loan servicer to use their trademark and branding, and authorizes the 1-800 number employees to answer the phone as if they were Wells Fargo employees?

the 1% rule is just a quick way to decide whether a home deserves deeper analysis.

As part of my risk avoidance/Exit strategy analysis, I was taking into account the possibility of a market correction or a deeper financial trouble around the 18 or 24 month mark.

Hilda, one approach that will help take the emotions out of the wayby not having to directly talk to the seller, find a good buyer's broker :)And in the meantime build a 720-800 FICO and get pre-qualified soyou're ready in case they don't want to do owner financing.IOW ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN in BUSINESS which is not personal...