Most new investor types spend way too much time trying to make chicken salad out of a single chicken-scratch property with an unreal principal rather than creating a deal flow to have many choices from.

The borrower does not usually have much choice in the matter, the Lender only gives the money to the borrower (on behalf of the borrower, really) provided they get an appropriate deed of trust or mortgage on real property sufficient to cover the money they are lending.

Maybe a shift of population to cities where you have many more choices and can go to a store instead of being limited to the Avon lady.

Ryan is absolutely correct about the structural engineer.

There is one and only one choice - the national flood insurance program.

You have definitely come to the right place, this is the best place to get information and learn about real estate online.I know what you mean about SoCal being an expensive market since I also live in L.A .Texas could be a good choice and definitely seems to be one of the top states people are moving to and is growing fast.Most places in the country will be able to cash flow a lot better than SoCAL for buy and hold.Take care!

Looks like you made a wise choice!

Five years ago does and gainful employment shows some attempts to rectify his choices...

They may fail to do it sometimes, but it's not a choice, if they forgive the debt and decide not to pursue it.

I forwarded these on to my lender and in two days they modified the appraisal up by $20k.Thanks BP podcast and Ryan Lundquist!