To avoid any missteps, I am seeking an experienced partner to help double-check my findings and potentially invest together.

I hear there is a potential market in the Pinole area for buy and hold long-term and even Livermore area for flipping. 

About 1/3 are still not providing distributions but their cash position is strong and I'm not concerned about them potentially selling at a loss. 

,Buying, renovating, and selling is a great strategy, but here are a few things to consider:Start with the Numbers: Make sure you know your ARV (After Repair Value) and work backward to calculate your budget, including purchase, renovation, holding, and selling costs.Financing Blindspots: Even if you’re buying in cash, plan for potential delays or overruns in renovation costs.

Quote from @Francisco Ruiz: We are looking at Snowshoe, WV as a potential market. 

This is NOT Business Credit.By establishing a separate corporate credit profile on the EIN Number (separate from the business owner's SSN/FICO), investors can access substantial business credit lines, capital for property acquisitions, and renovation funds without personally guaranteeing the debt.This approach creates a powerful financial firewall between personal and business assets while potentially generating a significantly larger (ROI) through reduced interest rates, increased borrowing capacity, and the ability to scale investments more rapidly.The education gap surrounding EIN corporate credit means savvy investors who understand and implement this strategy can gain a significant competitive advantage.

STR can provide more cash (potentially), but its a high risk high reward strategy - if you invest in the furniture, staging, photos, and management or self manage, there is a lot of time and money invested.

I've visited out there and thought it was a great little area (besides the train...) with a lot of potential.  

This could be a great way to get started as you'll be at the property everyday and by living in the property not only will you be there firsthand to oversee the work being done, but you may also find new potential issues while living there.If you're looking to do this, I'd recommend a 203k loan to purchase the property and get some rehab funds. you'll just need to live in the property for a year before being able to lease it out to a tenant.

Diversifying your portfolio can provide stability and growth potential, especially if you explore different types of properties or geographic locations.