When you get some laser like intensity on building cash reserves you'll be surprised at how quickly it builds.It'll also give you a chance to evaluate the longer term performance of those existing rentals.all cash

1: The house had really appreciated since I purchased it (not a good reason), 2: The neighborhood might be transitioning to being a better area, though it is one of the lower grade neighborhoods in this city( a Toss-up), 3:The house has a big problem- 1 bed 2 baths on the main floor and 2 beds in a basement with 6 ft 2 inch ceilings and a beam down the middle.

Carefully and thoughtfully set your goals and  lock on them like a laser

The reason why an eviction attorney is so great is because of their laser focus and expertise in the subject.  

It's a ~1200 sq ft home from the 50's on pier and beam, if that helps.

If both offers get accepted, then you will be the envy of everyone else in the Bay Area.I'd lean towards the one that is vacant, if for some reason there was a space alien holding a laser to my head and ordering me to only write one offer.

Prices jumped at some point in the past decade too; I looked at a couple places for Mom in 2016, but the numbers didn't work out at all. (2BD/2BA with damaged beams & sagging floors for $350K?

After seeing the house, I wouldn't even have made an offer. 3-4" of water in the basement, mold through the basement, ridge beam bowed down, pushing exterior walls out and questionable temporary posts in the basement under that same area.

If you are dealing with an addition built on 12" beams (or if the original foundation is old and not built to current standards), the repair company might not be able to push the piers down to refusal depth or psi due to the beam not taking the load, thus leveling it, but not guaranteeing it will not continue to move in the future, thus not providing warranty.9.

It’s seems you are laser focused on “no money down” deals and taking it to the extreme.