The primary motivation to sell now is the constantly anti-landlord policies in Alameda county and fear of getting stuck with tenants who do not pay and who we cannot evict. 

Seller was extremely motivated.

There are lots ways to find motivated sellers and off market deals. 

So, in order to get down to the real meat and potatoes of that person's life you're going to have to work on building rapport and discerning their needs or motivations. 

I would tell her as long as the house is left clean and empty on moveout you will have 3 hundred dollar bills to give her cash on moveout, this may motivate her to get her stuff out since it will cost you way more than that to do it yourself.  

HI @Scott Gadea, the answer is:  Save more money ORInvest in a lower cost market Both are methods that people have used for years to generate great amounts of financial stability or wealth, but the latter is a wonderfully efficient arbitrage play AND many would recommend this because of the fact that your home market is a cyclical market and you'd be wise to build assets in linear markets, or at least hybrid markets that blend the benefits of the two.For more information on investing in real estate outside of your home base area, check out David Green's book Long Distance Real Estate Investing

Also: If you don’t know much about the Tallahassee area, there’s a great supply of potential motivated sellers based on the condition of homes here.

He has found Partner 2 , also a motivated newbie, in the market Partner 1 see potential for flipping.

But your technique seems more efficient!

I get discouraged thinking the market is too hot and prices are too high to make good things happen.This story inspires me and your motives are awesome.