Since you are new enough to not understand the process yet, I'd suggest you use a title company or attorney.  

From speaking with another (actual) investor, I learned that this group operated heavily in the Stockton and Sacramento area.Bottom line: if you come across someone who tells you that you have to pay to learn from them, I would suggest to continue looking - it is possible that you may learn something from the "education," but, in higher likelihood, you'd only end up deeper in debt, or worse, in a bad RE deal that they could not find anyone else to sell to.There are plenty of honest people still around, many are successful and some of those have blogs and podcasts that you can learn from for free (although, they still seem to have something to sell you, but it is a fair trade off.)

Suggestion:  Try using the BP Calculator to get an accurate assessment of cash-flow. 

I am an investor and a broker so see both sides of it.Example:Someone wants to buy a small retail strip center with mom and pop tenants for 1,500,000.

I'm only providing suggestions, not legal advice.Good Luck!

An MFR could be a different story.The overwhelming majority of retail buyers just want to move in and put their feet up - not to move in with a project list.Let me know if you want any help marketing it - I have an agent in your area.

I think that has been the hardest part for me also is figuring out where the opportunities in the market and then determine what would fit with my investing strategy.I've looked at the AirBnB boats also out in Garrison and then some of the retail & restaurants littered along Duvall, White, & Green St.

We're on a slab so this could be very costly.Any other suggestions are welcome!

@Devon Craychee we will all have opinions on what is the best method to having more investment properties but my suggestions are two fold:Cash is STILL King - once you spend your cash, it's really hard to get it back.  

Even with a "manual underwrite" as suggested above, that is only for those federal loans and it would be very difficult to gain approval.