This also doesn't rule out selling to owner-occupied buyers who might pay more based on their taste, it is not as likely though.With all this said, you will also need to factor in closing costs to your decision which could amount to around $3k-5k.I am a real estate agent here in Durham so let me know if I can help.919-450-5999

The fact that an area has a high sulfer content in the water that makes it stink and tastes horrible.

Also, no matter how ugly the house, find something to compliment them on, even if it's not to your personal taste.

These days Dollar Stores are overvalued for my taste.

The furnishings will depend on your taste of course. 

Rhawa is overpriced for my tastes but maybe I have trouble navigating it.

Buy and hold with low leverage is the way to go in the Bay area.Per this article, things are not working so good for some Bay Area flippers these days...https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-09/young-real-estate-flippers-get-their-first-taste-of-losing

Anyway, if you buy a simple SFR and make it liveable (don't finish it like some Battlefield subdivision McMansion) without dumping too much money into it and just rent it out you can get a taste for investing.

@Andrew Johnson being new to the investment arena I didn't want to leave anyone with a bad taste from working with me.

I would love to be able to help others for free too to get a taste for the business.