I dealt with this for months until my inability to find a large construction company to build a double sided fire escape on this property forced me to sell it.

I'm brand new to Bigger Pockets but not so brand new to the real estate game.

I am attempting to build a new house in san francisco, Ca . 

After one summer of STRs I came back in the winter took a first lean mortgage on the property to replace the roof (and build my RV which I plan on living in while renting in the summer).

There is a brand called Forevermark which you should be able to find in your region.  

You can offer to lend the seller money to stop the foreclosures. 7 or do a lease with an option to buy - making up the back payments that would be considered you advance lease payment.Always look at the property if you have intentions of bidding at the auction (this can be tricky because you need to do that with the owner's permission - do try to build a rapport with seller  - also look at the foreclosure suit to find out what the bank is looking for and if there is a second mortgage or other liens.At the court house steps when the auction take place you need to be well prepared with your certified funds but more importantly you need to know the fast sale value of the property - you don't want to pay retail.Get to know your competition - there will be professionals at the foreclosure auction looking to capture some serious equity.

I intend to build a portfolio of different property types.  

However, I would like to build connections and eventually start here in California.

I told them that it was a better idea that, instead of buying a home first, we can buy an investment property and keep renting after we build some equity, sell it and put the down payment for 2 houses or a duplex and live in one and rent the other one (for me, i could keep renting until we buy a lot of investment properties and then move to one of them), but my family wants to buy a home firts and then the investment property.Can someone give me a light of what is better or the pros and cons.Thank you so much.

I agree with Robert that it'll be a good idea to determine the type of build you'll want to pursue and also the locations where you'll get the best bang for your buck.