There are a ton of strategies but you being in Southern California, I'd recommend you exhaust every effort of trying to get started with a house hack here than going out of state. 

I understand BiggerPockets has calculators, an exhaustive list at that.

An Umbrella policy provides additional coverage if the limit on your Homeowners or Auto policy is exhausted due to a covered claim. 

I would, personally, let him exhaust all his funds on the purchase and then you come up with a loan that finishes off the acquisition financing and then holds the rehab funds in escrow in an account you and your brother sign off on for withdraws.I do not think I'd put a lean on the property. 

Prolonged enthusiasm can be exhausting (failed offers, tours, travel) one way to remain engaged is to stay connected and in constant communication.

It is hard to do because there is a mental illness issue here, but clean up or get out. 

Long story short mental health coverage for our kids is not cheap and often out of network; out of pocket.

He/she just needs to provide the landlord with documentation of the abuse from licensed health care services and licensed mental health services who examined or evaluated the victim and/or law enforcement incident report, or protective order signed by the judge.The tenant dies.When the tenant who lives alone in the rented property dies, the representative of his/her estate can terminate the lease agreement early.

The prices for a rehab are a great value (under $100,000) but I don't have time or mental energy to do a BRRRR (did a renovation in California and doing a rehab out of state doesn't sound appealing to me).

I occasionally look at contingent comps if I can't find anything comparable and have exhausted all possible avenues for sold comps.