@Natalie KolodijWould the community or not community state be important here when we are talking federal return?

Texas doesn't have a state income tax so the new duplex will only show up on your federal and CA return.It really comes down to who can fulfill your needs and you're confident in.

If you are under that and you are doing any kind of fannie mae or other federal lending product you are going to struggle.Best bet is to call several local banks and credit unions and talk to their lenders.

If this is the first year you are doing this and your have made the federal withholding  payments via W-2 similar to PY, then you dont have to make estimated payment on the income you made from the deal, but make sure you set aside a tax money when you file/extend your return  in April. 

If you use it as a rental you get to deal with California landlord laws and get taxes by the state and the federal government on that gain when you sell.If you want to go slow you can almost pay for your primary in cash with $200k down. 

I don't think that the MLS is what @Ben Feder is looking for though.There are people out there that will tell you to go onto a site like list source and buy a list and start cold calling or direct mailing them to find motivated sellers.

Forth, in regards to incentives:A There is a federal incentive that will credit back about 26% of the cost of panels and installation in 2020.

The charge is held for court, meaning there hasn't been a trial yet, so there isn't a conviction at this time.My understanding of my state's (Pennsylvania) and federal law says that I can't deny housing based purely on a criminal record, except I think for drug charges. 

Federal Tax Liens, Section 5.

Third, any attempt by an interested party to influence a mortgage appraisal violates federal lending law.