I own property all over the country, including some expensive markets. 

As a new real estate investor living in the crazy expensive Bay Area rental market, I'm exploring clever ways to get into investing.

@Abiy Tedla I have mostly gone with white cabinets with black hardware on the same as is the market trend currentlyPersonally, I'm a fan of staining cabinets more so than painting since it lasts a lot longer and is more durable (plus I think it looks nicer than painted cabinets too) Additionally, using stainless steel appliances and under-mount sinks definitely adds to the oomph factor of the property even though they aren't much more expensive than their counterparts

I would focus on screening your tenants for background, credit, and income to try to avoid an eviction and excessive damage to your property to minimize your turnover expenses and vacancy loss.  

She does not have money for her expenses and is borrowing at a high rate of interest which is becoming impossible the idea is to sell my cousins rental property take a boot to cover her expenses and the rest ($750,000) do a 1031x.  

Increase income, reduce expenses, save, and invest.

The problem is it's very expensive, I mean to the tone of 6m.

Plus the financing is almost always more expensive. 

As long as all of your expenses are about $500+ less than the rental income I'd say it definitely makes sense to keep as a rental. 

Similar feelings here about the expensive courses and conferences targeted to first-time investors.