Knowledge is power, but also a burden.

Because they will play a large part in what you get approved for/how much they offer.

@Sean Weichel This is where your local market research comes into play.

Its been a real bummer that my Google Play app shows the last episode published is episode 285 published 9/6/18.

That being said, the quality of the neighborhood also plays a factor.

That individual played video games and smoked in the apartment (there is no smoking allowed in the building).

Do you have Power of Attorney? 

The VA loan is powerful - no money down and no PMI - can be split across properties - caps out in the Springs around 495k I'm sure California is higher - there is a funding fee that increases up to your third time using the loan but in my opinion it's still a better deal because your interest rates are typically .15 -.50 lower so you make up the money in the longer run - If you are a disabled vet more than 10% your funding fee gets waved.

you need to walk into the city planning, smile and play dumb... give them a sob story about your sick Mother in law, and wanting this property, but you just dont know how they handle things. 

Should we continue saving for a 20% down payment or is that just playing it too slow?