California offers great job markets and weather, but comes with high costs. 

@Jimmy Lieu, thank you for the offer.

You could offer cash for keys to get her out-NEVER hand over any money until they are out and you have the keys and signed paperwork that they are out of the property. 

Quote from @John Friendas: I am trying to find the cheapest funding on a property I recently offered on. 

Insurance costs have been crushing cashflow on a lot of rentals as well - I've seen HOI quotes on $200k-300k houses come in as much as $200.00/month over expectations.

I know when you make an offer you typically specify how you plan on funding the deal.

Most rehab loans offer 85 to 90 percent of the purchase price and 100 percent of the renovation costs.

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – so, they often select the first PMC they call or that calls them back!

It’s been pretty competitive here (partly bc we’ve gotten some BP nods over the last year) but I’ve definitely noticed a drop in offers and competition.

Low down payment (3.5%) is attractive, but comes with mortgage insurance and might not offer the best rates.