#1 Money.

You typically get better terms with purchase money vs cashout refi as well.

- NSS Lending LLC- Goldstream Capital Loan- Gap Funding partners - Tyrone Harris- AD Mortgage- FlipCo Financial not familiar with any of them.. just make sure not to pay money up front.. 

That actually just sounds like your agent is hustling and trying to find buyers himself, as opposed to only relying on buyer agents to show the property. 

Should I invest in my own property, saving money on land costs, or purchase another property else where?

Check your local code.I don't know of any requirement that a doorway have an actual door.

That way you could get a property in CA and still have some money coming in to start looking at investing somewhere else.  

I moved here from Florida as well.I love house hacking here in Columbus because you can get into the higher priced areas that will appreciate the fastest and leverage your money very effectively.

I've seen a lot of these policies and they're often basic perils and actual cash value only. 

On the other hand, private lender investors, like an "Uncle Joe" type, lend money on a more personal and flexible basis, often with less formal terms that can be easily negotiated.