It has a lot going on politically which is making the state less desirable for employers as well as more expensive for workers. 

@Ryan HanrahanCouple of suggestions:1) if you don't have kids or don't care about the school system (perhaps your kids are going to a private one) pick markets that have less desired school systems2) find private lenders that will lend you cash for a certain period of time, so that you can make your transaction cash only up front and then move it into a standard financing down the road3) borrow cash/funds from your pension fund or your life insurance4) Network, network and network (extensively) to find the right opportunityMy very best!

Making my RE portfolio desirable for private lenders, have we done enough yet?

I currently live at home, which is about 45 minutes up north of Nashville, but with classes starting soon and my desire to get started in real estate investing at an all-time high, I want to be creative and find a unique situation for housing this coming school year.

This deal was located in one of the most desirable areas of the SF Bay Area.

Most travelers enter basic search terms for the desired rentals.

After a few years of building your book of business you can move up and eventually if you desire can go out on your own brokerage if you so wish after meeting time in the business and other real estate commissions requirements.

There are always certain things people need or strongly desire, and money will flow there even if luxuries and "wants" get cut.

Always have done what was right to make sure property conforms to a high standard and is desirable.

If however conventional funding is not available or desirable for you, then a HML can step in to pull that equity.If however you cannot pull equity out of your existing properties and your conventional lenders won't lend on land, then indeed you may have to search for that rare HML who will lend on land.Best of luck in your endeavors.