I have always considered a single family but I'm now thinking a condo might be safer way to go since I'm still new. 

That might be your best bet. 

If you and the seller can't have a meeting of minds in the middle, great you move onto the next one.FHA on MFR, especially with our older housing stock in the Bay Area, it's a giant unknown if you can even get the property until the appraisal is back.More generally your best bet for using FHA to buy a MFR in the Bay Area will be to go find something off market where you aren't in competition with multiple other buyers putting 30% down, etc.

If you want to give a W-9, you bet they will charge you double, and you will be  shock.

If they're not paying their taxes either, it's a good bet the financing is in default also, though this is not always the case.Really, anything on the foreclosure timeline up to about 60 days prior to the auction would be good, I think.

At first I was sure that investing in White Plains would be s sure fire bet, however after realizing that the city has one of the highest tax rates in the state, I am no longer 100% certain.

Your best bet is to google asbestos abatement contractors in your area and have a discussion with them. 

Now is a great time to have a pocket little side bet of silver gold bullion to add to your real estate.

If the borrower has a history of rehabbing and re-selling then (s)he is probably a safe bet.

And to resolve your problems of clients backing out of your deals make sure you have a backup or two so if one falls to the way side you have two others waiting on that same deal.As you take this journey in real estate don't just study real estate become a student of marketing and sales and do that better than the other wholesailers in your area and I bet you will have buyers blowing up your phone.