I've done it multiple times on primary residence and was just able to do it on an investment with a local CT bank. 

I also personally know students who have worked with Lee Arnold in my local area.

Is there someone local who handles these sales? 

Staying local and house hacking—especially now, before kids—gives you so much flexibility to set yourselves up for long-term success.Your financial foundation is super strong, and house hacking a quad sounds like an amazing first step for you two.

To be honest, I´m in the Maintenance & Construction for corporate businesses for some US companies in Mexico and we do some Real Estate down here also, but it´s way much different than the US, so I have much to learn from a lot of people around here and as @Julio Gonzalez, I think this is pretty much the right pad and place to start and to break my fears to start all over again from scratchAlso, I´ld like to hear more from @Justin Brickman why he voted for his city, pros and cons, it will help to read from a local...As I said before, thank you all guys for taking the time to write in this post and share some experienceDo you plan to owner occupy. $40k will not get you a non owner occupied San Diego property unless you find some unlikely alternate financing.

I think will find that out-of-state will be much more operationally challenged than local.

Found this property through our local online foreclosure auction site.

I think the borrower is better off trying a local bank or broker in that area.

I can also put you in touch with local lawyers if needed.  

What I gathered from Sumrok's students is that it works best if you're local and can be in the area (sort of in a face) a lot.In terms of Rod's program, I bought the online course awhile back.