As a result, this isn’t the kind of market that attracts top-tier PM talent.Your best solution might be to either:1.Take on self-management if possible (and if you’re willing to put in the time/effort).2.Find an individual you can trust to handle these properties, set up very specific instructions and processes, micro-manage them initially to ensure standards are met, and compensate them well to make it worth their while.This approach requires more oversight on your part but can yield better results in markets like this.

I paid off the loan as the solution.

So the best solution is to buy a house needing extensive renovation for cheap and use that discount to change the layout when you bring it up to living standards. 

In short, I can afford the additional $1100/mo cost of a second house, even until I rent it out.I have around $35K in HYSA and emergency funds that I could use for a down payment, but that's less than 20% which would be required for a conventional loan, assuming full purchase price.

Anyone has a recommendation for affordable yet experience designer to help with few hours of consulting to upgrade the look of   new airbnb?

I think asset prices will continue to grow, areas where millennials can buy affordable real estate will be where I'm setting my sights on.  

We're willing to live almost anywhere in the greater Sacramento area based on what we can afford, provided of course that the property is in a decent neighborhood that has a good chance of attracting responsible tenants.As for budget, I believe we could get a conventional loan for properties up to $600k, but my strong preference is to find a distressed property (or seller!)

They provide all the solutions one could ask. 

I want to raise rent, but 700 bucks is not affordable for the tenant. 

The last one, however, started with many people from two certain neighborhoods, gathered by a local non-profit, who spoke much about affordable housing, being displaced, etc.