[quote author="autox" date=1255738074]Thanks for the suggestions tmare, but I'm not planning to buy a house unseen, nor am I unfamiliar with the Southern California market or nuances. I grew up in So. Cal., all my friends and family are there and visit quite often. As far as the buying process goes, I've bought 2 houses in the past, as well as a couple of undeveloped lots here in Texas. Because of a family situation, I find that I must move back to So. Cal.
Part of the situation is that most Realtor and Redfin won't take you tour any homes without a pre-approval letter. It would be easier for me to get a pre-approval letter here in Texas then travel back to California to look at homes vs. doing all the paper work in California. Also if I find a home that I like, and feel that the deal is right, it would be easier to get a loan now versus waiting until after I move back and start the new job as I won't have a 2year unemployment history with the new job.
As far as the market is concern, after much research, I feel that if you can find a house at a historic avg price given inflation, which I feel is about 2000-2002 price level, then I don't think there's too much risk if you're going to stay for longer than 10 years.
My wife and I are very picky when it comes to homes, and we won't be jumping at the first one we see.</blockquote>
If that is the case, then there is absolutely no reason why you can't get an out of state lender. Just because you get a pre-approval letter from an out of state bank, doesn't mean you have to use them, especially if it is a qualification for even getting to look at a home. It sounded more like you were trying to buy a home from an out of state location. In the current climate, if you are picky at all, good luck finding and getting an accepted offer on something you like, it's crazy out there.