Get a good idea of where you want to start, gun for it, work through the motions and ask for help along the way.

Coastal markets tend to swing and those that have been invested in RE in the Bay Area have seen rent growth work in their favor.

However be aware these types of people usually file motions and to continue to exploit legal loop holes, in order to stay in the property longer, so take no prisoners. 

[Just try to ensure that the returns still work in your favor, even at 100% leverage!]

I live 4 hours away from the property and would need to have my property manager mail me my mail. 3) Ask my private lender to refi the loan with him and give me a more favorable rate.If anyone has been through this before please comment and offer some advice.

The LL/T laws are in favor of LLs.

At least until the tenant is out.But if you have nothing better to do and want to go through the motions of a wholesale.  

You'll likely need to file a motion for relief to lift the automatic stay.

I do a lot of business with them and the rates are favorable.

As it stands, I have commercial lending in place that is quite favorable because it is loan to cost (allowing me to borrow for the rehab), but the numbers are very tight, as the mortgages are amortized over 15 years.