Why not refi the condo, or put a fat heloc on it, and use that to buy something in the Bay Area, where 1- you stand to get real appreciation on, and 2- an area you personally know something about. 

Sellers usually raise rents as much as they can in order to make their property look like a better investment.

@Katherine S.While your IRA/401k can certainly invest in a deal associated with an unrelated 3rd party, you do not want to create any kind of quid pro quo arrangement where you essentially provide capital to them so they can in return provide capital to you. 

You also can in California Valley and perhaps Bakersfield.

Nothing, big fat zero.What would my cash partner had if I wouldn't agree on that?

I would do some due diligence with the city planning and zoning departments to see that the other acres can in fact be used.

Since we're involved in that industry and speak to CA investors daily, that's how we can in good conscious recommend looking at the midwest as a place to make great returns, and do it consistently.  

Certainly willing to offer a hand where I can in exchange for some education and practical on the job knowledge!

Once I get a solid deal completed, and am nice and fat I start back at focusing on working out.

I took a few hundred grand to one sale  spent 5k and left.. and I never got my 5k back.. they never paid off I probably bought the slivers and other useless real estate that makes up the majority of tax sales.Now if you can in deed find the address drive by and see its a HOME and do some due diligence then bid .. but I suspect it moves to fast for that.. so like I said I don't know how it works in NY I have some experience in PA and its so complicated there I don't play...