When I was in the Marines, I once spent a month in the Moroccan desert and we just dug beds in the hot sand, ate cold military rations, and bathed in the Atlantic, which is the most minimalistic that I've ever lived, but it was also one of the simplest and most joyous times of my life.

@Christian Marin wholesaling off the MLS is not happening in Denver.

It is 1000 times cleaner than my other rental property that is currently rented by an Officer in the Marine corps (single, no family, and house hacking with a buddy against the lease) I walk in there any time I want, unannounced.

I got more information on the fellow, and it turns out he's a retired marine who is older and sold his home to rent closer to friends and family.

But in the Right area anywhere from basically Prime Marin County down through SF and south on the Peninsula to South San Jose including Saratoga and Los Gatos .. the values are what they are.. they have all risen pretty much as my example with Palo Alto being one of the Very highest  some areas of San Jose probably are more like 1k to 2k a month over the same time period..   

I found that I had to rebrand myself as “the apartment guy” instead of my current profession as “The Marine” — but as mentioned, most people in their forties have more real experience, capital, and know other people with capital.I guess it took me until I turned forty to realize that I wasn’t getting younger and retirement was closer than I imagined.

I would encourage you to marinate on that question and then I'm happy to help further if I can.I saw you suggest that you're looking to get properties for 80% of market value.

Did 5 years in the Marine Corps as a Reconnaissance Man and moved full time into real estate. 100% of my business is helping Active/Vets use the VA loan for investing.With that said, Ken hit a lot on the head.

For those of you in the rest of the country, marinate on what the OP just said.

I am a new investor to the area of real estate, my previous experience has been mainly with 2 SFR that I have purchased and of those two one is my primary residence whilst the other has been sold already.My previous professional experience involves starting up and running a successful insurance firm for 5 years in Wisconsin after which I transition to a more "active" profession by enlisting and deploying with a Marine Corps unit.