@Jay MichaelGood Question,The safe bet would be to buy your conservative first home with your family and have atleast 20% equity in it.

If you're at the beginning of your RE journey, then 1) determine how much time you can/want to devote to your RE venture.Here're a few articles to help you decide on that:https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10850/8...https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10850/7...2) then within the area you selected in #1, pick a niche that you believe will work best for you and personally determined to make it a success. 

Out of the ones you listed I would say your best bet would be Concord.

I bet it's lender paid PMI.

I'm on my journey to start exactly how you started.

I look forward to my journey!!

Your best bet is to build a relationship with a quality independent agent that can shop the right carriers to get the coverage you are looking for.

@Christopher Copley - good luck on your investing journey.

Since your main income isn't tied to CA and you plan to have profits coming in from OOS rentals, I bet you'd save money on state income taxes by no longer being a CA resident. 

I know I am still always learning, your best bet is keep going, keep observing, see who buys what, who buys where, what prices do they pay in what conditions, see if you can see who got a good deal and a bad deal, little by little you will get more comfortable and familiar - but it takes time and patience, I remember in the beginning I would get REALLY frustrated.