for a 1 story or 2 story building not for a high rise or midrise. you can easily avoid by what floor you buy or build on in miami. suburban deals or on south beach sure but not in a city high rise development you won't be worrying 

My recommendation is that if you would like to invest in CA, I would look into a partnership or even a syndication deal.

I've used deal machine and PropStream before and don't "love" either.

I deal with this in Boston all the time and it's always holding me up from adding bedrooms in the basement or attic unless I want to go in front of the ZBA.

Let me know if you're still looking at that deal and I would be happy to run some numbers and give you a good idea of what the property might be worth.  

Definitely try to owner finance your way into a great first deal

Talk to investors that have done deals and ask who they used and when you get the same name a few times, you have someone to add to your list.

Excellent deal for the minority partners (zero cash contribution) but a low ROI even accounting for tax savings of $24k/yr on a $500k cash investment.

Or a doc they have created & given a title company on a subject to deal?

In my experience, most tenants will play ball when they deal with a landlord who acts like a professional and sticks to the policies.