Ask how they intend to pay for a year or two of rent.I ask for a statement of assets and discuss any red flags or ambiguities with them.

Beautiful community with great amenities.

It’s a beautiful custom home, one of the nicest in a so-so Oakland neighborhood ("biggest house in not the best area").Here’s the context:- Bought in 2014 for $590k, appraised in 2022 for $1.2m.- Located in a C- to B neighborhood—close to amenities and mostly safe but not for everyone.- Converted to a rental in 2024; initially rented for $4,750/month, but tenants moved out, and the soft Bay Area rental market has made filling it challenging.

Several large developers have built beautiful high end condo feel student apartments super close to campus which initially depressed rents in houses.

Thats a red flag.  

Are there any red flags or challenges specific to this neighborhood that I should keep in mind?

Big red flag.

A beautiful home that profited well.

Is this a red flag, or could it just mean there’s an untapped market here?

The previous owners did a do-it-yourself remodel which had tons of red flags if I had taken the time to cross-reference the sellers disclosure with the inspection report, but at that time the market was hot and I had to move fast.