While I didn't start with a multi-family (mine was a condo), it was based purely on my budget.

Steven you're right, on a pure cash flow bases I'm negative.  

I like that idea because the upside (i.e. appreciation) in Sacramento is pure speculation at this point.

I might buy another house in Bay area to live in, since my company will move within the area.but if I do buy a property for pure investment, I would consider something that doesn't have a deep negative cash flow

Just a purely anecdotal example for you of the market conditions.

Although it isn't a pure measurement, because the number used as a deflator contains what you're attempting to deflate, but I think it's more accurate than not. 

It just didn't make sense for me to join from a purely numbers standpoint. 

Something like...Purchase price = $100kOwner's equity = $50kOffer = seller financed $50k + conventional mortgage for $50kSaying much beyond that is where things get fuzzy for me, especially when considering sub-2 and wrap, and how/if equity percentages privilege one structure over another, all else being equal.Or, as with "pure" seller financing, why would seller financing require 100% equity if the above-bulleted structure is possible? 

The exception is if the linked page is purely informational with no advertising at all.To also help with answering your question, Sterling Trust Company out of Waco does periodic seminars on investment options and may have a way to get linked up with them.

Short term rentals, long term rentals, you're buy box will play into this question.If you're purely looking for statistical indicators if a place is a good market to invest in in the long run, you definitely want to look at population growth.