In today's current lending environment, no matter where the asset is, a line of credit on an investment property, through a conventional lender, is almost near impossible to obtain. 

Hi Everyone,I'm recently qualified to obtain an FHA loan up to 450k for a 3-4 unit multi-family property.

For our California friends, this was not because of the huge level of assets in the city. 

It all depends on how your contract is written, if you’ve allowed any loop holes or didn’t outline in writing BEFORE they signed the lease then you need proper guidance on how to protect your assets to get out of the contract.I will say that if they started off lying then it comes way to easy for them.

We are both in agreement that our biggest asset is the equity we have stored in these houses-- about $400k.

If they claim they never obtained it, they can claim twice the amount of the deposit against me in court.So short of obtaining a scanner to take with me to appointments or bringing duplicate copies to fill out and sign, how would you suggest I mitigate this risk?

My significant other is in the process of obtaining her Real Estate License and I am also in school full time to get my degree in Accounting. 

Generally can be safer to not leverage but an argument can be made that if you don’t leverage, you’re letting the market bring up or down the value of your assets.

I agree with Carl who suggested taking the time to obtain a CCW. 

Don't forget to look at your other assets.