The use of leverage triggers a 2nd tax known as UDFI.A simpler strategy may be to use the IRA to be a hard money lender to other folks who are out flipping houses.  

In some areas the water shutoff can trigger a condemned status with the city or town.

Learning title is critical before risking serious money (money you can't afford to replace).CA is a Tax Deed state and there are some debts that are super-priority liens and not necessarily wiped off by tax sale.Other investors (in your own greater Sac market) use tax sales as triggers to chase owners prior to sale.

--------------------------------------------------------All in all the most difficult part was the data collection to carve us the right PATH.once we had direction and good people, it was just pulling the trigger and going full speed ahead.Due diligence, knowledgeable contacts makes life easier.The most difficult part of this journey was I had UNREASONABLE BUYER and SELLER ;pEverything else was smooth ;pLESSON: SURROUND yourself with EXPERTS and GOOD RELIABLE KNOWLEDGEABLE ppl

Sometimes even a little more, to help cover closing costs, or something like that ... there are restrictions on what you can use excess money for.My advice is get a bunch of quotes from a bunch of lenders and study up on your loan options, and you should be able to figure out how to pull the trigger and make something happen.

Please advice if I should pull the trigger on the below condo:Condo: Offer: 62,500; Rehab: 10,000; Rent/mo: 1300; HOA: 200, Tax: 1400, Maint: 1716; PM: 1430, Admin: 300; 25% down @ 4.5% interest; NOI: 7051, Cash Flow: 4201, CAP: 9.52%Multi: Offer: 82,000; Rehab: 30,000; Rent/mo: 2000; Tax: 4000, Maint: 2640, Insurance: 2500, Util: 1300, PM: 2200, Admin: 300; 25% down @ 4.5% interest; NOI: 9050, Cash Flow: 5318, CAP: 7.95%

I'm looking at a 4 plex right now, but am hesitant to pull the trigger because am unsure.

Understand what events trigger most sellers and select those events first, might be divorces, might be citations, it all begins by knowing your market and the demand. :) 

I'm sure it will be easier & easier to pull the trigger in the future when you see a good deal.

Im on the edge of pulling the trigger on my first property.