I said eff this too much work and sold it for $50k.

This is because they are work and have risk.

My verdict: it could be a winning play given your equity and potential upside, but carefully weigh the pros and cons.Crunch the numbers: Factor in all expenses, potential vacancy rates, management costs, and ensure the cash flow covers your mortgage and leaves you with enough buffer.Consider alternative Bay Area locations: Maybe there are suburbs with less pressure on prices but still good rental potential and appreciation prospects.Don't rule out the single-family option: If the numbers work and you value the lifestyle, don't discount it entirely.

I can see that I still have a lot of work and due diligence to do. 

Keep pushing forward, and soon, you'll see the rewards of your hard work and determination.

Just Gas and internet work.  And

We are planning to start our first few properties with cash so we don't get burned on hard money interest payments since it will be after work and weekends we are working on the project.

The absolute best city or town to invest in ( do not get stuck on the notion of investing in major metros or you will miss out on many interesting opportunities) is . . . the one where you have a team you can trust, where you are able to learn the market and its nuances and get to a point where you are comfortable doing business there because you know how things work and what the market requires for success.

Although the rent by the room model does come with more upfront work, and more tenants to manage.

I found Lodgify during almost a year of use very intuitive and easy for my team to work and track. and they have great and fast customer support, and most importantly is that they support our local currency BHD. which other PMS/channel manager would you recommend for a vacation rental line of business?