Meeting their goals and settling isn't attractive to them in any way.

Otherwise, REI looses it attractiveness (and after-tax IRRs) relative to other asset classes.

It is relatively affordable for a major metro area, especially compared to the nearby Bay Area, and I feel that affordability will continue to attract people like me out of the Bay area. 

. $100K for 7 years) that will allow her to minimize her cap gains taxes, while ensuring that I can leverage "attractive" financing as I am not in need of seller financing and would generally prefer to lock in 4-5% interest for 30 years (rather than be subject to higher "hard money" interest rates and shorter payback period).

If you're just now expecting you can make alternative arrangements for a new born in your home quite attractively - especially because you're looking to a very short term goal of getting into that house soon.There is no statutory period for you to use that property for investment before you move in.  

Before you know it you will be living off the income from the properties.Because you will occupy part of this one we can also find very attractive owner occupant financing for you.

@Austin Hughes, I would figure out how other landlords in the area are attracting their tenants--Craigslist Lubbock, or paper flyers in the hospital and university public areas, or both?

Hey @Eric GeeWhile @Dan Heuschele is certainly right in stating that the recent rate increase makes the numbers less-attractive than they were 6 months ago - it is still very possible to successfully implement the BRRRR strategy here in SD.With that said, feel free to reach out if you'd like to review your situation and discuss the best way for you to get started.

What is a good assignment fee to keep the deal attractive but still get us a great profit?

If this property is likely to attract multiple offers, I always advise clients to make their best offer right out of the gate because they might not get a second change.On the other hand, if the property has been for sale for several months and is not under contract, or worse, has been under contract several times, there may be a hidden defect.