@Elliot Rosen, do you understand the issue?

There's a good chance the issue(s) you face has already been discussed and answered.Ask questions in the appropriate forum.

The only issue we have run into is the prices and bidding wars.Every single home we have looked at for personal use or an investment seems to have 5+ offers and go MUCH over asking.We are currently looking at Bay Park / Clairemont / Carlsbad / Oceanside. 

With the increased competition, it’s also crucial to prepare your listing to stand out and work to address buyer objections prior to going on market.

As lenders, well issue a prequal/preapproval letter if we've analyzed your income, assets (bank and brokerage statements to establish that you have the liquidity to afford the down payment, closing costs, and reserves), review credit of the guarantors, review the relevant experience to ensure that we're not throwing our money away on newbies that are wandering around in the dark, and have put together a reasonable plan of attack for the project.

@Olga K.It doesn’t necessarily confirm the sewer line is completely blocked—it might just be an issue with the internal plumbing or fixtures.

My portfolio is nowhere near what is needed to replace my current income so I would have to quit and become a full time realtor to make up the difference, but that sounds better than being stuck in my cubicle.Was there any issue with being at 21 properties and thinking you were close enough, why not quit then?  

Eamon,Any time you face a major issue with a bank/lender and they fail to refund your money or it costs you money and a lost deal due to ignorance or bad lending. 

Did you ask him to correct the issue? 

Depending on how you are acquiring these properties you may be able to just do one per year but that only matters if speed is an issues.