The appreciation game is speculation, but appreciation in Socal (especially in San Diego) is a decent gamble. 

Gamble?

People buy because other people are buying.You are basically gambling and yes you can win big, but you can also lose big.

I don't know if they spun off what are now second gen fabs that they could compete with the offshore types on a cost basis.As an ex-Intel guy, it does hurt to see the one last high-tech manufacturer here in process of sinking. 

The hope (gamble) is by the time you leave, market rents will have risen to the point where the property will cash flow.Life in general here is awesome (apart from the hideous smog and embarrassing schools).

I offshore my property mgmt for around $4/hr.

I'm a crazy gambling fool but I'd be willing to let sign them all over to me right now, I will pledge you payment in chickens and MRE's for when the takeover comes...... 

Gamble?

Be warned that you are now speculating (educated gambling), and a gentrifying neighborhood can quickly fall out of favor. 

and refunds to guests2) Hire amazing people - cleaners, handyman, recruit some neighbors to help fill in the gaps, & self-manage or hire an offshore VA to manage the property if you'd rather make yourself rich instead of making a local property manager rich (more on that here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/... )And make sure that your cleaners and handyman are not only doing a top-notch job of keeping the house in pristine condition, but they are also reporting to you (or to your PM or to your offshore asst) every little thing that needs to be upgraded or replaced so that you can stay on top of it and take care of things before you hear it from your guests in the form of guest complaints and bad reviews.