I believe the best bet to get a good deal is to target pre-foreclosures with good chunk of equity.

That’s the best bet.

But I agree, seller's best bet is to buy using a conventional loan if they can qualify. 

The buyer pool is beyond flakey..Your best bet is a local investor.

I could be wrong, but the only way to make lots of money is to make educated bets and execute them.

@Gary Bonds the only way you'll bet a business loan as a newbie, is by cosigning for your business.You'd be better off getting a business credit card you personally cosign for to start establishing business credit.

ThanksI bet that's a good short term rental market!

Even if they are locked in does not mean anything they can change them anytime they want these lenders are not regulated like Owner occ lenders thats the bottom line.. it does affect their crediblity i suppose and risk of them getting trashed on SM  but its their money thier rules.

@Hsin-I Hsu  It depends on your long term goals, risk tolerance and earning potential.A couple of bay area sayings:   Any time you can afford to buy real estate you should.  

I wonder if rent control laws will be easing anytime soon in this city - other than capping rent prices, I don't think they do anything to help improve the quality of rentals.