Only use it when you truly need it, but do not let fear stop you from utilizing a tool you pay for.

If it continues to have living expenses go up and up and focus only on tourists, I fear that the average worker won't be able to survive and therefore make it a very difficult small economy in general.So in all, as a local, I just don't see logically how the real estate can keep appreciating for much longer unless the living expenses stop hiking and lower and middle class workers are able to survive here, as that's what is the back bone of it all right now.

The fear of that 45 days is much more psychological than it is real.  45 days from the closing of the sale is actually more like 3 months from going into contract for the sale to find your next property. 

We fear the requirements of a subdivision, such as roads will not only be extremely costly but also damage some of the hay ground.

Looking for a reasonably safe area as well that would attract better tenants.I looked at condos in Walnut Creek, San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Hayward as well (since only condos would be within my price range in these areas) but the fear of being in an HOA is what's pushing me toward SFH. 

I don't want to stockpile cash in fear of the unknown, but I don't want to start over financially if the worst occurs.  

that fear turns into vacancy fear. the vacancy rate in the neighborhood is 1.7 so i used 2 . if i go to 3 it turns coc to 27 and -25$ cashflow from shownOverall goal is to hold forever, Cashlow at 66 and beyond with complete debt paydown , pass to kids when i die , they use the cashflow for their primary residences and beyond. (10 of these will do haha... but really)

I fear there is no one fix for this.

I agree with @Michael Baum and @Sarah KensingerWhat you will gain on name recognition from the big company name will be lost by people fearing that a big name company is unable to care for their property as a smaller company can.The loss of marketing and accounting systems can be replaced by hiring a company like Vintory and a Bookkeeper through a CPA. 

Will you rent to a person with 3 kids again or avoid them out of fear of putting them on the street for not paying?