You can also shop around for a little lower price.  

there is no state income tax in TExas... same with Alaska as you mention.. so loss's would be noted on your federal return.I am not trying to talk you out of it by any means... just giving you some tips to think about when you go shopping.. 

Are there any lien/note investors in the Bay Area (CA) who would let me buy them coffee or a beer and talk shop?

Does anyone have a favorite print shop in town?

I don't have all the answers you need, but I would say to make sure the title work is properly done, either BY a title co. or following direct steps laid out by a reputable title co.... even some lawyers screw this up.I've had to shop a property closing around to 10 different title companies before I was lucky enough to find one to close it for me...all this because the family members used a lawyer to transfer title between each other. 

Yes, you can get pre-approved for HM, just shop around. 

Or do you somehow factor in condition of nearby properties, distance to schools and shopping, nearby parks, area crime, rating of nearby schools? 

I read an article from Business insiders: The American suburbs as we know them are dyingIt's very interesting and basically talks about how the Suburbs are changing, malls are becoming ghost towns, and Millennials are move to more urban and efficient living spaces in denser areas where walkability is a benefit.Of course if all of this is true, buying into major cities ahead of the migration of younger people seems like an excellent strategy.In fact, we see this all the time and contributes towards a process of gentrification.

Just keep shopping around.

I've been shopping the market and lining up finances but could use some input from there.