Not to poke your dreams but, you will soon find out that investors are the most complex and have the most slim margins.

I am leaning toward slimming down to a smaller place in a more desirable area so that the rental market will always be there and the smaller property will be more affordable.

Even bringing in another investor or hard money would make the deals REAL slim.  

Yes a lot of maybes but over the last 30 years prices and rents significantly higher and 30 yr rates from 10% to 3% (average around 6-7%) so the chance of timing a downturn and saving huge $ in the Bay Area is very slim.

I'm tempted to send the president of Rocon of Bella Vista a letter, but I doubt the chances of receiving a response are slim to none. 

Seller financing as far as free and clear properties will be very slim.

The likelihood of this occurring is slim, but you would be covered.

those are mighty slim pickings, with little to no room for repairs or vacancies.

Ive looked into the local REI groups but they are slim to non in this area, I've even looked on here to see if there were any groups in my area but ill keep on the search!

I learned that if the home was in the right location, then the likelihood of vacancy rates were slim.