I was recently laid off from my job and have three issues: 1) No way to get a conventional mortgage 2) Need a place to live, and an advantage: sizeable savings on stock, bonds.I want to start investing in RE (ideally multifamilys), but for now I want to start small: buy a condo to live in, and [whenever I buy a multifamily I could move to] rent it.I would like to evaluate my high-level strategy, and get your comments:* [Soon] Get a "securities line of credit" worth around 15% of my savings.

If not, let me know, I have some resources that may be willing to provide a free consultation.

He is very knowledgeable, provides excellent service, and was always a quick call or email away.

That way you can find investments to provide a decent return and to compliment your full-time work. 

Open escrow with homeowner, end-buyer, and self; self transfers contract to purchase to end-buyer in Title/Escrow, and provides T/E with end-buyer's contract with self: agreement to purchase, and fee instructions for self ($10k + difference if any) to be paid out of closing escrow5.

I will be reaching out to those providers.

But if you just want an idea of rents for a limited number of units, the free version may work for you.Does it also provide historical data?

If you provide a scope of what you are demo-ing, you may have better luck with someone's experience to comment here, but costs can vary regionally, so a local contractor would give you the best actual estimate. 

There are several turnkey providers in town who can handle the process for you from top to bottom but you will give up some of the equity for the ease/reduced risk of the transaction.

You are obligated to provide the oldest verifiable operating statement (base year), which is adjusted into today's dollars (Using an LA City formula for inflation) and this is compared to your current year (yes with receipts, cancelled checks, bank statements, k1's etc), which can be significant.