I am currently using Buildium, but it takes becoming  very "clunky" and time-consuming to enter various details. 

You can always look into private money lenders that can lend on properties for consumer purposes.

This is time consuming though.I know that I could really get to the next level if I could fully utilize VA and other people in general.ThanksRick 

Link to that PA program: http://www.phfa.org/consumers/homebuyers/advantage.aspx

On the other hand holding notes on property secured by owner occupied residential real estate is subject to Dodd Frank legislation, the rules and regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, state consumer laws, state homestead legislation, and local housing and lending laws.  

I think Zillow has a Lot of the local traffic nowadays in the San Jose, CA area and their interface offers a lot of info that consumers are after.

VERY messy and time consuming.  

You heard me right “CFPB writes letter to CFPB,”article and video- http://mortgageshots.com/cfpb-gets-caught-in-deception-and-nobodys-talking-about-it/LETTER- http://dailysignal.com/2016/04/14/did-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-write-lawmaker-signed-letter-to-itself-on-fighting-discrimination/

The permit system was not overly time consuming but they were sticklers.  

In other words, understand the elements of any contract, and you'll have the basis for u understanding a contract for real estate.That being said, states have enacted laws governing real estate transactions to protect consumers so you have to be mindful of those.