@Paul Wolfson it’s also funny that so many people want to invest in real estate for financial security for their family, but will allow for their family home to literally be removed from underneath them

Carpet cleaner stated that carpet was so deeply soiled that it would not be able to be removed by steam cleaning.

Carpet cleaner stated that carpet was so deeply soiled, stains could not be removed with a steam cleaner.

I have never seen cleaners move the stove and refrigerator and clean underneath.

Perhaps your tenants can get their animals to piss where the soil is dry, so it will be more moist such that it will absorb moisture when S/he hoses down the area.

The world's starting to come un-zipped, and I don't think many have a clue what kind of monster is pressing out from underneath it all. 

And that many people focus on how pretty the house looks (nice floors, cabinets, etc) when buying but there could be major problems underneath.

I already had all the team in place from other projects (architecture, civil, structural, soils, geology, survey, historical) ... we've been at it for 9 months and we haven't even submitted final construction docs.That's one anecdotal example, but the pattern is clear - whether it's CEQA or Historical or riparian habitat or community plan or setbacks or parking or mixed use bonus that hits the FAR ceiling or phantom floors or utility undergrounding, there's just a lot to understand if you're trying to build anything more than a duplex on a single property within City limits.I only have development experience in SD City limits ... curious if anyone has experience doing this in surrounding jurisdictions (La Mesa?  

Construction and investing experience affects the terms as well.Initially the startup cost would be; secure the land lot, get arch & structural plans completed, professional services ie survey, soil test, elevation certificate, RESCheck (Energy Compliance Report), building permit, Impact fees, Clear lot, Pour foundation and go into framing.So you would need your own cash to get started.

In your part of the country, there are quite often issues with the plasticity of the soils which will require much more substantial amounts of concrete for footer and foundations.