Assuming the Oakland rental market continues to remain stagnant/competitive with newer buildings going up, is property appreciation the only way to increasing wealth with my building?

You feel you have to rebut my comment to bolster/protect your business that’s fine, but I would suggest you steer clear of exposing client financials unless your in the business of fighting legal suites rather than real estate. 

My advice would be to find a mentor (the right investor-focused agent can be great at this), continue analyzing deals, run them by your mentor, and then make offers when a deal meets your buy criteria.

It can also be probably fight in court if this is a monopolistic practice if you think about it but who will want to fight it :D.  

@V.G Jason I didn't think you would continue to comment on this post, but since you did, I consider it fair game. 

I would love to continue learning and eventually using Real estate investing to climb out of my hole.

After all I paid him my hard earned money...nope, he just drops you & doesn't let you continue. 

- regional / drivable destination (I've personally rented out a bunch of Airbnbs here)- already established STR laws (while very strict, they have shown to grandfather in permits and haven't proposed a flat out ban that would also retroactively take away permits)- Fredericksburg also fights new hotels just as hard as STRs.

First, deep relationships with people so that you know them well, they know you well, and relationship continues for many years.  

As far as I know the prices have continued to be stable or go up.