Joe,Check to see if American Modern Home or Foremost writes in CA. 

I've been using them for the last 10 years after American Family Insurance dropped us.

It varies but usually comes out in subtle ways when people express unchallenged ignorant ideas that haven't gone through the critical thinking gauntlet - for instance, lumping 'groups' of people together (ie: you're a contractor if you're doing things that someone thinks a contractor would do), buying into this false premise of letting others determine what occupations/etc should be held in esteem, etc.  

Knock on the door (or leave a hand-written note) and express your interest in getting the property fixed up and beautiful again.

I have spoke with the lawyer and expressed interest in buying the property as have others.

@Ricky S , Scott's book is called Set for Life: Dominate Life, Money and the American Dream

I have a few friends and family members that expressed interest in possibly doing some private money lending to future deals. does anyone have any ideas that they wouldn't mind sharing on some ways to structure a private money deal for a buy and hold purchase in which it makes sense for the private money investor and myself without having to give away a equity position in the property.

If you buy through him you will lose money and add a lot of anger and frustration to your life. 100% guaranteed he will be the subject of a future episode of American Greed.

In all the years that I have been doing this I have yet to meet a single tenant (who knew I was their landlord), nor has any tenant ever inquired as to who I was or expressed any desire to speak with me personally. 

I thought that expressing the fact that I'm looking to invest that this info would be very relevant. is there a way to remedy this?