I would like to be having tenants paying my mortgage and I hopefully make a little profit on top of that.

I'm screening for my first SF rental, struggling with a decision, and would appreciate some feedback.The candidate I like best is a single mom with 4 well-behaved children.

In real estate it happened on the beginning of the year only.You started your original post with "If real estate is a stock..." weird now to do a 180 and state the obvious that they don't actually behave like stocks. 

My immediate manager knows I do REI in fact I told her Monday that I will be having to take a half day next Friday for a closing. 

For example how they must behave, cleaning up pet waste promptly, pets can not be left unattended outside, tenants are responsible for flea infestations, etc.

Maybe they will agree to pay a penalty and move out within five days.Don't try to guess how your tenant will behave.

Well behaved kids?

If you take your time and screen carefully so you know exactly how your tenant are going to behave, your life will be much easier and more predictable.

However, since they are often unoccupied with an occasional 1 or 2 people staying there for a night, I think they pretty much stay below the radar, especially if the tenants behave themselves (park in designated areas, keep their commuter car in decent running condition, keep the noise down, behave courteously to the neighbors, etc.).Remember (I really hate to pass judgement or perpetuate stereotypes) your typical crashpad tenant is going to be a professional aircrew member that has been screened by their company for certain standards of character, reliability, ethical behavior, and so on.

Looking at the previous and projected growth, the area, IMO seems to be having a rennaisance and we are now starting to be realized as an actual city versus the 'armpit of CA'.