Now you have a problem because the new people are technically squatting. 

If you can find a seller willing to finance you might be able to get more favorable homes.

Here's a big "math" you overlooked for quite a few years.Right now $388k in equity, minus (let's go all out) $100k in closing costs, gets you a walk away of $288k in equity.Use that $288k as a 20% DP, and you should have $1.44M in property value,...not $415k. 

Pre approval is in progress, and looks favorable.   

Right now we have a schedule for everything we do D4D, sticky notes, we use dealmachine to find leads.

SF is a very unique market, and actually may be a great time to buy right now, especially if they can successfully turn the city around. 

I have been in Milwaukee WI for quite a while as investing in my backyard in NY is cost prohibitive. good luck on your journey!!!! 

I hope the honesty in this post has given you some things to think about and I wish you the best of luck in your real estate journey.

Let me know if I can be of help to you on your journey. 

Now, I hire experienced asset managers to buy, manage and eventually sell the assets.