I want to start in Orange County, CA.  

Let me know if I left out any crucial details.

-Are “boots on the ground” really that crucial?

To compare this market to SF is like apples and oranges.  

Hi guys,I'm looking start flipping houses & buying & holding rental properties in North Orange County (Santa Ana, Anaheim, Tustin mainly) & Riverside County.I have 15 years of construction estimating & project management experience which helps with the rehab side & recently became a licensed Realtor.  

Hello @Alex BalanWhen is comes to investing in areas that our out of reach, I feel there are two crucial elements.

they aren't expensive and provide a place for somebody like myself to have a fax machine that is a crucial part of investing out of state. 

Looking for recommendations on a broker in California, specifically in the inland empire, orange county, and possibly LA county area...

Use the BP calculator :-).  2)  Do not buy in the ghetto because the numbers look good3)  Write down your screening process  - this is your most crucial key to success and less headaches4)  Deliver the best rental product   - new appliances, toilets, vanities, paint, fans, clean the A/C and exhaust vents  - this is your second key to success and less headaches5)  Get a good lease  - I can share mineIMHO, I think MFs are overpriced right now.  

If not, I do not know how much effort and resources it would take to buy a list of properties with delinquencies to send yellow letters to but I gather a lot of patience & persistence is crucial with this approach.