There are pockets in SoCal at lower price points: South LA, High Desert, San Bernadino, Riverside County and Inland Empire to name a few.

FYI my current situation is:ME - FICO 665 middle score / $45k/yr income / $200/mo DEBTWIFE - FICO 650 score / $0 income / -$625/mo DEBTBROTHER - NO FICO - currently building / $30K income / $0 DEBTavailable max Down Payment $7,000PRO's Willing to purchase duplex / tri / fourplex in : riverside / rialto / pomona / ontario / san bernadino (no orange/red Crime map)price range : $180k - $450KREQUESTS: need atleast one unit to be 3 br *looking for value add* as well, After hearing the hundreds of first step methods, im finding it a bit hard to narrow down my search criteria. 2nd question is: After stating our current situation, what other strategies loan programs or methods to begin our first MFH buy and hold purchase would our financial situation warrant the most profit and least risk in this interest rising CA desert property market?

Desert Schools credit union may be a good one to try for your surprise property.What are your terms like on your 1st lien? 

just call any HVAC company they will know who to refer you too.. while caging is a nice deterrent if they really want them they just bring a Sawzall and cut the cage.. there is also companies that put lojacks on these things.. you can google those.If I was going back into land lording in areas were these thefts are common and its pretty much common in the cash flow areas of major MSA's  I would try to retrofit them up onto the roof.. like we see in the desert.. 

I don't need weekly lawn service, but more of a rehab on the desert landscaping. 

I love the fun color schemes on the desert style homes.

Just to introduce myself...I am a military daughter, wife and mother, having seen my father off to multiple wars, my husband off to Desert Storm and, twenty years later, my younger son off to Iraq.

Also, my mortgage broker was Paul Parshly with Desert Heritage mortgage.

Any questions about short-term rentals in Joshua Tree and the high desert, I'm happy to answer them!

Let me make it clear that my office is in Pasadena, CA and I do not live in the Mojave/Sonoran Desert but I would love to help as your realtor.