Also different tax implications here than in Vancouver (ie. no Speculation and Vacancy tax).

I think her question was centered on investor speculation: average investors, crazy optimistic cash flush California investors and young homebuyers focusing on scoring some amazing appreciation to then start a side business in real estate.  

Hi Robert,The real issue is the intent that it was heald for investment.Was the intent to give your father a place to stay or to speculate on capital gains?

What you describe isn't speculative at all.

So imagine what happens when someone is tactical in purchasing properties in those locations.Some people claim that relying on appreciation is speculative in nature. 

Even if you get some recommendations, you will need to gamble so much capital on a speculative investment.

How have you guys in the past on certain deals; determined whether a market that will have a new major employer moving into the area,(an example is the boon for residential and commercial real estate in Sparks Nevada when Tesla opened its huge GigaFactory outside Sparks) a good market for speculative residential or commercial purchases?

If you are ok with paying out of pocket every month, and speculating that the market will continue to go up 15 to 20% a year, thenit's perfect.

Let's distinguish between bubbles in items with little and fickle real demand (like tulips, speculative land, dot.com start-ups, crypto) and real estate.

One could only speculate but accurate statistical analysis could help determine some possibilities.