This is not a DIY your first time out so don't attempt to follow stuff on the internet, there is no legal advice available here for your case

You find deals through connections with people, if it's already listed or on the internet, that means it's in the public domain, you have to get lucky to get a deal if it's presented to the whole world.Take your advertising dollars buying a few lunches with Realtors, closing agent/title folks, an appraiser, loan officer and mortgage brokers.

Haha, not really but some good food for thought.To address your question I think one of your best bets would be doing a nonconforming duplex in Ballard or Wallingford.

If she is working 2 jobs, where's her money going - sounds awful and some of you will slam me for it but I bet she's got a nice car and a better tv than you do.

Call every lender and mortgage company you can find on the internet/ in newspapers/ direct mail/your wond bank that lends and tell them what (in there language) you are seeking.

Here in certain areas of the Bay Area, I don't really consider it speculation to bet on appreciation in the long term, though you might have to hold through possible recessions to benefit from it.

Have your realtor check to see what Condo's sold for in the last year; in my area I can go onto the internet and ask the question of what houses sold for in a particular zip code and get the answer.

But it is not something I would bet on.

Your best bet is to spend an afternoon down at the county records office with a list of the properties that you are interested in.

I think it's not a good idea to hold because it's betting on appreciation which is like betting on the stock market.