This has pluses and minuses.If your property is bulletproof such as no framing - cinder block construction, cement floors, gloss white paint slapped on the walls and a cheap window mount AC, then you are in a prime position to make money with S8. 

In many cases, it weakens the lender's position as they did not underwrite the buyer and an owner-occupant tends to pay better than non-owner-occupants.

Quote from @Michael Challenger: I have no qualms with hard money lending, but I need to learn more about the process and structure to these for typical deals so that I am more comfortable and in a position to reduce my personal risk and risk to investors as much as possible.

Some will be ok in 2nd position and some will not and force you to refinance out the first - but those are options that are probably cheaper than credit cards 

We still see positive cash flowing deals here with appreciation potential at really affordable price points. 

On crime... one positive trend is that APD, in partnership with the courts, has lowered the previously skyrocketing murder rate.

I know for a fact there are other women in your position that live in the Bay Area and are investing in markets like Ohio

I see that real estate agents and brokers are too negative on sub to deals……investors looking for low interest rates and or low down payments are too positive on the same.As I stated the reality is somewhere in between, depending on individual circumstances.  

Ideally looking to cash flow positive on all properties.  

Usually living in it for a few years may be enough for it to cash flow positive when you move out.