I specifically had them include the foundation, site-prep and utilities costs to make sure it was an apples to apples comparison and I was surprised by how low the estimate for cost per sqft was. 

Make sure to compare apples to apples (ie. similar square footage / rooms / etc.)Zillow rental properties in your area and look at the history.

There is a lot of PM software out there that integrates vacancy listing and makes it possible to post out a vacancy on dozens of site, and to accept online applications to vet people, and those systems provide for required data protection where e-mail does not.Systems, I can not stress the importance of systems and automation of as many process's as effectively possible, a benefit of which is there is zero emotions or feelings involved then as Jon Doe could very well be his real name, remember there is some poor kid out there with the name of Apple...... 

Any landlord is quick and happy to get rid of a bad apple, but are conflicted with telling you how bad they are if they are still on his property. 

They're looking for something affordable, safe, preferably with decent schools and a commute they are willing to make to get those things.Not sure if the Google or Apple buses go to Brentwood.  

If you're comparing apples to apples then maybe not.

I think you need to compared apples to apples through to the end to see the comparison. ..........................Lets say you buy a 100K house and put 20K down. 20K is YOUR investment, NOT 100K.

For example "No cooking grease, oil, animal meat bones, pasta, rice, any other substance down the garbage disposals except apple and carrot peels and liquids with no solid matter such as juice and soda" and "no vaping and smoking of any tobacco product, marijuana or any substance" on the property, including the backyard"  

If you want to give my mailbox money a boost [shameless plug to follow], just go to Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, or wherever the hell you listen to music and search for "the Rhythm Brewers" or "God, Guns, NASCAR", my biggest hit (such as it were 😅), give a listen or a purchase and you'll be contributing to my "mailbox money"

It's a landlord-friendly state, low property taxes, and is getting massive tech job growth from Tesla, Apple, Google, and the like.