Some people are growth-minded, which means they are willing to help for a low cost, or not much compensation knowing that the more conversations they have will lead to more clients.

.• Use some equity from the sale to make this transition smoother.I’m torn between maintaining our current home as an asset and buying  a new smaller house to use as a rental after we move back in versus simplifying and focusing on a single upgraded property Considering factors like market trends, potential equity growth, and quality of life, which path do you think would be most beneficial?

Its still uncertain as to how well BAM will handle the current environment with higher interest rates and slowdown in rent growth. 

I will provide some thoughts on the San Diego purchase- virtually all high LTV mls purchases since rates started to hike have negative cash flow at purchase- historically great appreciation- historically great rent growth but recently flattening- prop 13 is great benefit for long holds- laws keep getting less LL friendly.

California prices are really unaffordable at the same time the state has consistently had outmigration of native residents for something like a decade and even negative population growth recently whereas Texas has grown substantially. 

Look at rent growth if you are primarily interested in cash flow.  

Maybe when I'm an ol' head exiting the growth phase I'll start caring about paying them down, but I'll do that with cash flow not borrowed money.

Property Appreciation: For long-term holds, I always compare rent growth with broader market appreciation.

They just don’t keep up with the growth appreciation rates of other properties in the same neighborhood or even the same building.

As long as you focus on areas with strong job growth and analyze the deal carefully, I think you will be in great shape.