I've considered reaching out to real estate agents to see if they'd teach me in the area but I don't because I fear wasting their time with ridiculous questions One last thing, I keep considering doing foreclosures but again I lack knowledge on that as well so I am willing to take risks, just not blindly.

My advice to you is to remember that Fear is whats standing in your way.

Raising money is much harder than it seems, and an experienced syndicator on your team can help allay investors' fears considerably.

Yours in Fear and Lack of Analysis,Chicken Little, B.S.N.B.S.

There is some fear mongering going on this post.

There very much is an aura of fear/potential crime.

I am a little nervous about starting a deal in fear that somebody will take advantage of a new investor which is why I’m doing as much research as possible before jumping into my first deal.

The primary motivation to sell now is the constantly anti-landlord policies in Alameda county and fear of getting stuck with tenants who do not pay and who we cannot evict. 

Alternatively, and I think this is the real issue, you are going to have to get over your fear of confronting this issue head-on.  

The cities are a little gun shy with fear of over building.