((Best)) way I can think of is have some money to invest and partner with a more experienced developer who is doing what you want to do.Come in as a Jr. type partner in the deal, and work full time at it--learning.By Jr. type partner I mean you are not calling the shots, but are in on all meetings and all aspects of the project.After a few deals maybe you want to go it on your own, or maybe just keep on partnering....A good partnership is a definite strength--but it depends on the person.I would say that is the (BEST) way to learn a particular development type.If you lack meaningful money try befriending a few developers and just talk shop as well as friendship things, and see what turns up.But to be a developer you will need to have a good sized chunk of change to risk (possibly losing) to do a deal.Good Luck!

It just makes the market entry (into deals that have a shot at appreciation )more expensive for cashflow investors.

I don't know any of the markets you describe all that well (I know Davis pretty well and, much lesser so Santa Rosa) but if you have general questions I am happy to take a shot answering them.   

No template needed, just write the letter out in Word, make sure property address and loan number is there somewhere, write your text and sign and date it.Ok I'll give that a shot and post the outcome. 

I know this is a long shot but what are some strategies everyone uses to find leads?

If your finding properties that need light rehab and have nice returns, maybe take a shot on it.Remember, if you are going to finance a first flip you can expect to have 20% down + closing costs + money to start the rehab + reserves.

I highly recommend you give the book a shot and write one of your own!

He played the big shot moneyman right up until a week later, when I found him naked in bed with his furry privates out, high as a kite on some kind of smack, blubbering his eyes out over a 400-lb equally naked woman who had just been brought back from death's door with Narcan by paramedics from the three ambulances and five cop cars blocking up the street my duplex is on."

Being a scarce resource, opportunities like this may not exist in the future, or may get priced out.Due to the recent fleeing from cities, not might be the right time to buy a condo, instead of houses which have shot up in price.Your thoughts?

That could be no garage (when all the other homes on the street have one), backing up to or on a busy main street, bordering or in ear shot of active railroad tracks, in airport flight paths, or where the subject property sits next to or across from a trashed house.