In Chicago or San Antonio, it’s a similar hustle... you build the right relationships with smaller property managers who know local investor groups, and suddenly you’re the guy who can feed them deals they never thought they’d find on BiggerPockets alone.As for the fear of getting stuck with a contract, it happens less often when you’ve done your homework on the numbers and aren’t overselling some mediocre deal.

And it's in a super convenient, central location, closer to downtown San Francisco than most of SF neighborhoods, and easy access to the whole East Bay.

Utilizing an attorney sans title insurance can work well - IF the attorney is knowledgeable and experienced in real estate transactions and the parties are ok forgoing title insurance.  

I currently reside in San Diego, CA, and I am in the process of purchasing two properties in Henderson, NV, in my personal name.

I have seen this work in high priced markets like San Jose Ca.. where the property owner is a very wealthy business person with no time for rentals and the person they sublet to is close t them either friend or bizz associate and will work the property to make  the delta as the owner just does not want to mess with day to day and there is extreme trust.The other thing I have done personally is with the insurance companies ..

@Kent FordI agree with @Ryan Konen regarding areas like San Antonio’s outskirts, parts of Fort Worth, and growing cities like Tyler and Lubbock, which are becoming popular due to relative affordability and job growth.We will see an interest in smaller metro areas where prices are more accessible and a surge in new construction aimed at entry-level buyers.

Hopefully he finishes this rehab in February as I hope to have him set up an out of town, large (over 3000’) luxury STR in the spring.When he completes that effort, we will be concentrating on getting him a property in San Diego which as everyone knows is very expensive.  

We have made an offer for a property and it turns out City of San Diego has asked the seller to replace the uneven side walk by the property does any one has an idea about ball park figure to replace a city side walk?

*I USED to own properties in San Mateo Co CA (Silicon Valley)and found that the Building/planning dept was so malfeasant and next to impossible to work with that I sold my properties AFTER I spent YEARS trying to 1st get plans approved,** then completing the work.

San Diego, to me, seems like a market that still has a lot of upside due to the building constraints in the area, the desirability, and the strong economy.