I recommend you talk to a lender and get real clear on what you can qualify for, what you can do to improve your borrowing position, and make sure you have your finances under control.

Some of the people may be friends or extended family that is hard for her to control, but she is ultimately responsible for.Would you rent to her again?

Customization Building from the ground up means complete control over design and layout, ensuring the property meets current market demands.2.

Are you aware of the rent control laws in Santa Monica given your goals?

You have no total control long term over the appreciation of your real estate, that's more up to the neighborhood/demographics/economy/supply-demand/inflation rate etc.

Short term bridge debt adds a big layer of risk that the sponsor has no control over.

if you are going to do the court house steps deal - be sure you can settle.Alternative:view the property well in advance of the auctionfind the owner - find out their problemstry to solve the problem before the foreclosurestop the foreclosurebe careful of foreclosures laws in your areatry to CONTROL AND ROLL the property using an auctionfind better deals - too many issues with F/C buildingsthere are easier better deals everywherewhat you want to do can be done - but start early - find them in the court house before they are publicized - get a head-start on the competition. 

It would be great to do an episode on investing in rent controlled markets and bring on investors from Los Angeles, New York, Oregon, etc.

The water managed to perfectly get into the control panel and fry the entire unit. 

Both are unincorporated places without local control and STR rules set by the county.