Do you know of anyone in the Northern Virginia area that was successful in getting a duplex with 3.5% down? 

This has hit me pretty hard, I'd guess I have $20-25k in interest to deduct, and have historically. 

We used to see these guys in the same restaurants we'd hit on our lunch breaks on Ventura Blvd. 

I've hit up Morris Habitat for Humanity Restore with little luck. 

So that gives you some freedom and options, you do not have to do a 1031 so less pressure.Depending on how much you make on that determines what you do once you get to CA.I would simplify your life and move to CA first and rent, dont buy anything until you know and are clear on your objectives.An average 4 plex in So Cal is hitting $1.5m - really tough to make that work. 4 units in LA is really out of whack.And do the "rent where you live and buy where you rent" much better approach than trying to buy $1m dollar shack in LA.Palm Springs is interesting and you can find some decent priced properties and some work as an AirBNB so that is interesting but I would run you calculations on standard rents and not base it on Short term rentals.

FYI: Once you open a $200k unsecured line of credit with Bank A, don't assume Bank B's offer will still be standing when that hits their updated credit report.

So it sounds like the default is that it's likely normal wear & tear (or poor installation) and that I would need to pay for the tub replacement unless I can somehow prove they hit it with a hammer, dropped a bowling ball in there, etc...Separately, I can charge them for the water damage since they didn't notify me and have admitted in writing they knew for 4 months. 

Then waited until that account hit a certain $$ value then started taking income after that point? 

Hit me up sometime 

Sell it, Portland is hitting its PEAK!