The only real threat I see to the real estate market in the bay area is not the technology jobs leaving, but some sort of a major natural disaster like a magnitude 9 earthquake hitting the bay area, otherwise the real estate demand and prices will continue to hold up.I much rather spend my time and energy trying to identify a no name tech company that will have the ingredients in place to emerge and become the next Apple.

The key ingredient that you need to be able to identify is seller motivation.

In other words, please take a look at the "ingredients" below and help me figure out what different options might be cooked up: A husband, wife, and their 2 young children currently renting an apt. in SoCal want to:1. own, or co-own a duplex, triplex, or quadplex somewhere in the San Gabriel, San Fernando, or Santa Clarita Valley (and if not that, then they'd like to at least stay in LA County).

One of my main premises has always been... that the qualified buyer is the most important ingredient of any transaction and that you the buyer should get whatever you want in the way of representation.

That has a few vital ingredients: knowledge, someone you REALLY trust and the loan documents. 

Your homeowner's insurance (required if you have a mortgage, good idea even if you're free and clear) has GENERAL LIABILITY as one of it's key ingredients.

The qualification questionnaire was the missing ingredient. 

That allows you to have a key ingredient to finding a quality renter - patience!  

If you are interested in learning about raising capital which is a key ingredient of syndication you can check out my podcast interviews on my BP profile page.  

The key ingredient is making sure to buy the properties right so that if there is a downturn in the market, you're still able to make money.Please let me know if you'd like to know about specific opportunities.