I'm just starting out and thinking of investing in the central valley as I travel there often (primarily Fresno/Bakersfield).

He & I travel together.

Use neighborhoodscout and see what score it has since 2000   If it is an 8 or higher, I will be fairly confident of good long term appreciation  - the cash flow over a long hold is more determined by rent growth than initial cash flow.  

I had quite a bit of money saved up from years of traveling and not really paying any rent as I was staying in hotels and accommodations paid for by my tours.

You could also do a 2/1 for worse pricing if you are super confident that 2026 is the year for rate drops. 

Anyone have any insight into how much a strong dollar would affect the domestic travel?

Outside of real estate, I enjoy traveling (who doesn't?)

Maybe think about a legal agreement outlining all these “what ifs.”Overall, it’s not a terrible idea (not something I would likely do as it could go sideways though), especially if you’re confident in the property’s potential.

The cost of changing a light bulb is quite a bit more when you factor in travel time to get across town, vehicle cost, a qualified person on payroll with benefits, overhead cost for the office to deploy that person.

We specialize in working with real estate investors, and I’m confident we could help guide you through this transition if you're considering it.Feel free to shoot me a text or email, and we can discuss how to support your goals and get you started on this new path.Best,Matt