Try to think about some of the gems you've had as tenants.

I look at it completely opposite. cash flow is nice but only a place setter while my property goes way up in value. either through value add  forced appreciation or getting ahead of the market  finding those gems in areas that are poised to explode.Only way to make non appreciating cash flow assets work is to own LOTS of them  and most folks never get there.. they try but never really get there.   

This site is a gem and I'm thankful for all of the members who've shared their knowledge and experience to help out the community. 

Just takes more time and research to find the gems but there's always deals to be had.

But a few gems slip in.

As a buyer or investors, always try to find these gems.

How do you find gems like REOs and forclosures in the Bay Area?

There were some gems in there I'll take w/ me.

Not the shore, actually in the lake.Of course having said all that, there are some gems that slip through.

My Realtor is always sending me gems before they go on the market.