Purchase price: $25,000 Cash invested: $80,000 Sale price: $190,000 This was a red tagged house, thankfully for one of my mentors' coming along with his experience we were able to make a killer deal.

Speaking as a realtor - a full mailbox is a huge red flag. 

If you're really trying to hustle for a good deal you could pursue off-market or seller financing deals if they're available for your area (I assume your market is red hot).If you have any questions I am always available to talk real estate.

Or better to pony up the dough and skip the extra red tape / oversight?

I understand there are some hoops you need to jump through and some red tape to cut through, I wanted to see how I can best prepare myself for this type of business in California.

If you've asked for information and they haven't supplied it that's an obvious red flag.

West Adams is RED HOT right now.

This is when I knew I was analyzing plenty of deals because I no longer had to put in the calculator and could "red light" or "green light" a deal as soon as I looked at it.

Maybe you are referring to a local Los Angeles Rent Control legislation.Thanks Yes, it's LA RSO.Here's a reference: http://hcidladev.lacity.org/rs...Click the little red arrow next to "Rent increases that do not require HCIDLA approval."

The market is red hot right now so if you are sitting on the market more than a week or so with now traffic or offers something is off.