Initially when I started my father was pretty anti-real estate investing, lecturing me on how risky it is, etc.

How, if at all, are you changing your strategy next year given the FHA anti flipping restriction is coming back next year?  

I want to preface this by saying I'm not anti-landlord.

I'm not anti-social but social networks are just a bit creepy to me, just me I guess.

If it's worth more than you owe, it's not a short sale and you wouldn't be considered.California is an anti deficiency state and there are laws about borrower contributions to short sales (They can't ask you to pay anything on a short sale.

Typically Toro pop-ups, Orbit timer, basic anti-siphon valves.  

If that property was moved to Plymouth, it would be in the high $600K range and taxes would be about $12,000 vs the $3,490 in China.With the incredibly anti-landlord regulations in Massachusetts, I'd never consider owning rentals in Mass. 

Anti-Predatory Lending: Title XIV of the Dodd-Frank Act". 

With full disclosure and the approval of your Broker it is possibleHowever, there are some pitfalls :-You will have to hold the property for 90 days before entering into a purchase agreement as the FHA "Anti-flip" rule comes into play. 

FHA definitely has 90 day "anti-flipping" rules.