I don't think I will be looking in the LA area, but I will certainly apply your suggestions to other areas.

Oakland votes to bar landlords from conducting background checksMarisa KendallPUBLISHED: January 21, 2020 at 1:20 pm | UPDATED: January 22, 2020 at 10:04 amCategories:Business, California News, Crime & Courts, Latest Headlines, News, Politics, Real EstateOakland on Tuesday moved to become the first city in the state to ban landlords from investigating the criminal history of renters applying for both public and private housing.The Fair Chance Housing Ordinance, which the City Council passed unanimously Tuesday evening, will prohibit landlords from rejecting a potential tenant because of a prior criminal conviction.

I think your first step, if you haven't done so already, is to apply for a mortgage to see where you stand.

Business license or other 3rd party proof that the business still exists as of when you apply for the mortgage (CPAs don't write these letters, these days). 

It's feeling near impossible to find funding as nearly all of the lenders I've called either require you to be local to apply or the deal has to be over $x million. 

Warning: this exception applies to corporations only.

Then applied for reciprocity in CT.

Would me having one already close to maxed out be a red flag to lenders if I were to apply for one on another property?

Also, that may not apply to rehab.

do tenants get an exception when they apply for the occupancy permit?