We gutted the house and rented it out when we were transferred. 

Not sure if it is possible, it just what my gut says.

We bought one of these and totally gutted it because it was a "True" definition of a foreclosure.

some owners are really pissed at the whole system and the fact that they put down 5%, spent X amount in remodeling and now ..somebody is buying the place for 20c on a $. ...so before they leave ...they might decide to "subtract" some value ...concrete poured into plumbing, ripped off whatever can be sold, cabinets gone etc ...so buy ONLY at a huge discount assuming its a total rehab. if a place is bought unseen. ...pull comps in the area ..and figure you need to spend e.g. 50K for full gut rehab. then figure is it still worth it ..whats the going rate in the area ...as far as owners ...if they see you ..they figure they face the person now ..not the system. it might be good or bad ...many unknowns.  

We got started through buying a personal residence property and gutting it.

But looking for a gut feeling and emotional factors while considering Dorchseter, Baltimore CityThanks in advance.

Example: he just finished 3 floor house gutted from top to bottom and hasn't even spent $500 he is a very savvy contractor.  

I know the first instinct is to do something right in your area/where you want to live, but seems most beginners in the hot CA markets build up some momentum by going out of area/out of state.

We bought our first property using a VA loan and than gutted it.

They have since gutted the home & the barns for their kids.Good luck.