For the high cost areas like Palo Alto it is difficult to get a property to cashflow out the gate because rents have not caught up with the cost. 

Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

I did not pay for the course or get any deeper because I figured 1) High return = high risk, and I am at a point where I can't afford to lose that kind of money; and 2) I didn’t see a value in a course- why not network with local investors who need down payment, and work it out directly on a deal that I could more easily underwrite?

Funny enough, I was going to suggest you move out of SF due to the high cost ;-) I'd suggest going down the SF condo route to start as financing for commercial units is a lot more difficult than residential properties.

However, they are hard on the physical property. expectations before they move in matter most, if you share the clear rules about what is expected, and what isn't, and remind them that you are connected (even from a distance), I expect it could turn out well. make sure you aren't putting in high dollar nice things.

Some of the condos here have extremely high condo fees. 

It’s harder to BRRRR in the Tulsa area now due interest rates, you definitely have to buy at a great discount in order to be all in low enough toget all of your money out and the rents have to be high enough to still cash flow after all expenses (PITI, Mgmt, Vac’s, Rep/Maint, CapEx, HOAs, Util).Based on being “all in” $120K in order to BRRRR and still cash flow at least $300 mo:$120K cash out amount - at 7%/30 yr ($150K+ ARV)PI = $800 mo + Taxes $150 + Ins $150 = $1100mo PITIRENT would have to be at least $2000 mo- $1100 PITI- $200 mgmt (even if self mng, it’s exp for time)- $200 vacancies- $200 Rep/Maint & CapEx= $300 mo cash flow.

Building on existing land helps eliminate the issue of land scarcity, which is a significant challenge due to California’s high real estate prices.

Highly recommend partnering with a local realtor who knows the market. 

With high home prices, rising mortgage rates, and intense market competition, securing a property has become increasingly difficult.A recent survey found that over 60% of real estate agents reported instances where Gen Z buyers lost out on homes due to delayed decision-making, missed appointments, or hesitation in making offers.