Are you getting any feedback from Sellers at all (i.e. counter offers) and if so what about your offers aren't appealing to them? 

So, calling them today saying you'd like them to be a part of your "team" led by a "newbie" investor with a non-existent property isn't appealing. 

It's something I have a knack for seeing and visualizing when looking at floor plans.

Again this might be tough in an inflated market, but if you can factor in some equity into a property when looking at it, they become more appealing to you.

My own view is the process is full of flaws including the owner can make good all the way up to the business day prior to the auction (many/most normal properties will not go to auction), the 1 year statue of limitations to appeal the sale, the issue with potentially some liens still being due, and the no interior viewing (unless you look through windows). 

Home Improvement 1-2-3 by Home Depot & The Complete Visual Guide to Building A House by Carroll and Lockhart.All the best.

In fact, courts have decided many cases incorrectly, and some of such cases were reversed on appeal.

Should there be some legal standard for visual real time confirmation when signing documents?

Lastly with the market being super competitor in CA, if your preapproval letter shows that you’re putting minimum downpayment via FHA loan might not make it look as appealing as someone coming i.

I would rather not say what lender at the moment as I’m appealing the decision.