Does anyone know of a qualified and reputable contractor who works in the LA, OC and Inland Empire area? 

But I think you need to know the skill/trade really well first. 

Additionally, are their different requirements for qualifying for a loan to purchase land?

Getting good, qualified tenants into your properties will take a week or two at turnover and more after initial house cleaning.There isn't a shortage of crappy multi's in Ogden. 

But, because the loan is to be kept on the lender's books the rates/terms are not as attractive as Fannie/Freddie.I have investors as well as our own money that make these "non-seasoned" loans to well qualified borrowers.

Qualified Borrowers with decent credit and verifiable W-2 and/or Tax Return income can purchase a SFD, Townhome or Condo on the following program:Purchase loan at 95% LTV up to just under $851,000 with Closing Cost paid for cooperative, pre-approved borrowers. 

@Paul DeSilva:@John Leavelle and @Anthony Gayden (above) are both correct.Unless you have more than 10 residential mortgages, or the properties are above the jumbo mortgage limits or you're trying to finance the the properties with the LLC intact, then they should qualify for conventional residential FNMA loans.For the LLC situation: my strategy is to close the loan under my personal name (no LLC), then after a few months of "seasoning" to establish on-time payment, notify the lender that I plan to drop the property into an LLC strictly for asset protection purposes.Many seasoned pros will tell you that you don't even have to notify the lender that you plan to do so, but will warn that doing so runs the ever-so-slight risk that they may actually call the entire loan due immediately.

Buyer often pay 50 up to 100% in cash.Let me know if you are qualified.

I just can’t fathom (for me) going to even cheaper properties with less qualified tenants.

That’ll get your negotiation skills sharpened for sure.The reason for that is that this property has a gatekeeper- the agent.