Some items, like investment securities, were exempted from the beginning, but for the most part it would be very difficult for Congress to exclude all forms of tax free like kind exchanges without having structural consequences to the tax code.It may be possible that the NAR article was saying that real estate professionals may not want to bother with these deals.  

I have sought to get loans in one country to purchase in another but it is very difficult to get aproval for such projects without security in the country of the loan.Any thoughts on leverage regarding investing in multiple countries?

See IRS Publication 598 for more details.Good luck with the deal!

Oakland close to public transport is better, but still $3700 rent.

What is the best route to ensure that our money is backed/secured - promissory note and mortgate?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.Thank you,SteveIf there are multiple secured liens on the house, it depends on who is foreclosing. 

My question is should I make my offer and worry about getting financing later or secure pre-approval first?

With market rents, coming up with first/last/security deposit can approach $10k in some neighborhoods, which can be a difficult check to write even for professionals.

I have always been interested in real estate investing, but the security of full time employment & raising my family took priority.

IE high volume they write title insurance  one off hard to get anyone to do it.the only way a CA. state tax sale can be overturned is through court order and the person or entity that lost it has to prove that the public notification was flawed..