2% rule in California

[Florence Lecuyer]

Hi, 

I'm new in Real Estate, so I'm interested in your advice. 

I would like to invest in Real Estate in a "buy and hold" property, with long term gain objectives (I don't have much time to manage it, so can't flip houses, just a simple renting set up would work for me. I was thinking of a single family rent as the most simple thing to do - but I welcome your ideas.) 

I live in California, in the Bay area, and as I can't afford properties around here, I was looking at cities around (Sacramento, Bakersfield) but couldn't see any property where the 2% rule apply. 

I am looking for a property in California, so that I can access it by car if necessary. I know there are plenty of other states which offer better value, but as it's my first investment, I don't feel comfortable buying a place that I can't visit, and it would be quite difficult to choose a real estate agent or a property manager at distance. 

My question is, should I look for 

1) a property in a remote place in California offering a 2% ratio (but with the risk of higher vacancy if it's in a remote place) - if so do you know any? 

2) a property in a city like Sacramento, offering a ratio lower than 2% (is below 1% still acceptable?) 

3) something else? 

Many thanks in advance 

Florence