But for those of you who actually print and mail envelopes, is there any efficient way at all to do this?

You’ve know realized/learned that conducting business without the blessing of limited liability from your State Government is almost like willingly placing your hand in a running garbage disposal (+1).

Or suck it up and get Posted Mortgage Rate Ripped Off by the Banks.Rip Off number two is the Discount Mortgage Rate Scam run by the banks and sanctioned by the Government.

Rossmoor is a Special District under the County of Orange's jurisdiction except for some limited powers granted to the Rossmoor Community Services District, which is their local government. 

10 is the limit of government backed mortgages (Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac).

These are two articles that are relevant for this Chinese money discussion:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/billions-in-capital-moved-out-of-china-right-under-the-governments-nose-2016-03-01http://www.smh.com.au/business/china/suitcases-of-cash-chinese-travel-figures-hint-at-capital-exodus-20160922-grlttn.htmlAs we continue to see Chinese putting $1-2mm offers on apartments and houses in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago and Dallas over the last few months, I am sure that there are other ways as well. 

Good news is rates on FHA loans are fantastically low because of the direct government guarantee. i think this will likely be your best bet for a multi-family purchase unless you have the means (and want) to put more cash into a purchase. 

Also are there any up-to date reliable websites  (may be county based government websites) that list the future development projects in a given zipcode/county.I found http://www.bestplaces.net/housing/city , which gives some stats ( no roadmap  for future development projects though) but looks like this is based on 2014 info.

Over the past few years this mentality has shifted, growth appears to be encouraged and the local government is ‘playing the game to win’ and winning they are.

Also, one other quick item...the grants that are out there are generally for state and local governments.