Google Operation Chokepoint for just ONE example of what banking regulators do with their massive power.

Purchase price: $630,000 Cash invested: $120,000 Gutted this property, brand new electrical, furnace, propane, finished basement to create separate unit.New garage with rental unit.

The POWER of Real Estate Investing is: - Securing an asset via only having to give a capital investment of a fraction of it's price. - Having other persons pay for that other purchase capitol that you did not spend. - Getting to keep all the rewards of appreciation over time be it in rents and/or market value. 

DealMachine is a powerful tool for real estate investors, especially for finding off-market deals through driving for dollars.

Once the interior was stripped and the infrastructure tested, I brought in commercial contractors to handle critical systems like plumbing, electrical, roofing, and HVAC installation.The house, built in the early 1900s, was originally a coal-burning residence.

Bad electrical is dangerous.  

Today it's called Power Flipper 3X.

This collaboration could be a powerful learning experience and a stepping stone to success.

I too live in Marin, and feel it is a solid long term market for apprecaition, and utilizing the power of principle reduction.When it comes to refinancing, figure out what the loan costs will be, then divide that buy the monthly savings with the new loan in order to determine how long you have to maintain that loan to break even. 

Sounds like you are already on the path to being an out of state investor and with the right team that can be powerful.