If the plan is to go local, I would recommend going to investor meet ups.

Defense was just something like I just wanted to buy a part of San Francisco for cheap, I wasn't planning to do anything sinister.   

Plan to do more?

You have a concept (investing in real estate), but you don’t have a specific plan. 

My current solo-401K plan was being supported by Quest, but they have decided to STOP supporting solo-401K's.

However if you plan on buying 3-4units, there is a trigger rule for FHA, it is called the self sufficiency test.

Our business plan actually includes rehabbing distressed properties and conducting off-market transactions with owners currently occupying distressed properties using equity to reduce the out of pocket costs for the seller/buyer and to simplify the process.

Originally I was planning on buying a multi family in the area I live in, but after reviewing my lease, I’ve found that I really can’t break it and I have 8 months left on it.

Backflip sounds interesting, and I plan to look into it further.Quote from @Annie Seurer: Hey Mark,I’d also recommend considering DataFlik for deal sourcing and lead generation.

Although you plan on having your mother live in the home to start you'll want to assess the home using the current rental rates and values in the area.