While "Price Improvements" may sound appealing, they often represent necessary corrections from previously inflated asking prices.

In my experience with a specific client of mine, it can often be challenging to make the case for passive income (therefore SE tax avoidance) if you are also a real estate investor doing your own flips.

They often offer more flexible terms and customized interest rates and repayment schedules.

Because of that you are often restricted from selling one or two of the properties without posting more cash.

Decent purchase price to rent ratioSome of the areas I'm looking into are:HaywardSan LeandroOakleyConcordPleasant HillBrentwoodTracyMantecaTurlockModestoSacramentoMy concern about some of the areas specifically in the Central Valley (often recommended here on BP) like Fresno, Turlock, etc, is that looking at numbers the appreciation doesn't seem to meet the mark for me (purchase price to rent ratio is decent, but equity isn't very good), so I'm generally focused more on the SF Bay Area.Any recommendations on cities or areas would be extremely helpful. 

If you make an offer on a property that's in a price point of a house that would also attract an investor looking to build their portfolio where rents are in an affordable price point, you will get out bidded more often than everyone else because you need a cheaper house.

., Chick-fil-a, Wholefoods).B-Class areas often feature Walmart and Dollar Stores.C-Class neighborhoods usually have fewer amenities and more basic stores.Schools:A-Class areas may have access to better private or charter schools.

You can also contact them and often settle them for pennies on the dollar.

(SDIRA) An IRA cannot must use a non-recouse loan so they are often talked about in self directed IRAs IRA forums.

If you buy in this way and factor in rental income to offset you mortgage, you are often going to come out ahead - sometimes very far ahead.