Where the problem lies is that our small county doesn't have the information online( I reached out to the county clerk-recorder) and the kicker, they aren't open in-person anymore because of Covid.

They lied about it damaging her car even with shattered taillights on the ground, My tone has been cordial and cool - I don’t want to ignore this.

I would say any technology that you can implement to save time on some of the "time suck" tasks the better!

You could "forget" to mention it ("silent second"), but these days there are forms you have to sign saying that something like that isn't happening, so you'd have to lie (not good).Now there is a possibility, theoretically, of your buying the property "subject to" the existing first mortgage and then just making payments to the owner for their small equity portion.

Finance, I don’t have that kind of cash lying around.

Credit scores never lie.

Some are quasi-governmental, others private, and still more pure governmental, but they are businesses with revenue streams, assets, etc) I find it exceedingly unlikely that they will accept failure and cessation of their proven and profitable business model at the hands of a technology that has existed sufficiently since the advent of webinars.  

After spending the better part of a year learning about the different strategies and niches available, I can safely say my interest lies in the Wholesaling and the Buy and Hold strategies.

Corporate ladder climbing was not my strong point so I started my own technology and consulting company about 17 years ago full time and never looked back.

However i would say bay area real estate is better poised then LA just because of the fact that I believe technology( software)  would drive future innovation in any field from medicine to cars and silicon valley continues to be the leader in software . last 10 years has proven that as well .