Go in person to the planning department and talk to them.

Our first purchases were ones that we lived in and added value while we learned.  

I used to work in finance and we could get clients approved for a HELOC in less than 24 hours which will be much quicker than the cash out finance.

That's the reason why we sign leases in person, so we can go over the main issues in person and make sure they are understood. 

You have a couple of choices.Invest elsewhere in the world.

Visit RestoreFMB.com for practical resources and tools that can be replicated in other communities to help LA through this process.No one rebuilds alone.

Perhaps....but   the person relocating to any given market and who has to make a purchase in a finite period of time is generally the least likely candidate to get a great deal on the purchase, meaning the appreciation is even more important. 

This is in Wisconsin and I'm in Southern California.

@Nicholas Nakamura can you make a trip out there in person? 

A lifelong friend and I are motivated to (virtually) meet and connect with those in REI working in the Pittsburgh area.I'm active duty military and living in California with two rental properties (one in Virginia Beach & one in Pittsburgh) and my close friend owns a single family in Baltimore.