The listing agent told me the lockbox requires a magnetic striped card to get in.

High-wage jobs from incoming companies like Apple, Google, and Eli Lilly, as well as an influx of migration from NYC, SF, and similar high-price metros, will continue to drive up the amount homeowners here are able to pay.

But much like the stock market, you're gambling on an Apple or a Google, and may end up with a Theranos;) If you diversify, and one of the deals goes south, your losses will be offset, and you can get out and move into another deal.

Watch their comments on CNBC concerning the iPhones and Apple etc.

You are comparing apples and oranges (buying rental personally vs inside of an IRA/401k).

I think it's going to be difficult to create meaningful apples-to-apples comparisons between these cities (but I think that's OK, and I'll explain why).  

The buyer happens to be super lucky as Apple decides to build space ship campus close to his house.

I would support a decision to buy at $675k property that brings in $4200 a month in rents under the right terms and in the right neighborhood, and an apples-to-apples comparison would be 675k less transaction fees and taxes (if applicable) that you would net on sale, but that's beside the point.

Hey all wanted to revive this thread a bit as my experience with my current property manager in Bakersfield has thus far been a nightmare (won't answer calls/emails, haven't yet been paid) and so I'm looking to dump them asap but want to make sure I don't make the same mistake twice.Some background - I own a multi-unit in East Bakersfield that nets $2500-3000 a month, so looking for recommendations from people who own similar or smaller type buildings in the area (I think comparing experiences and reviews between my property and a larger 160 unit (for example) is like apples to oranges unfortunately).

@Nicholas PatrickIf you are passionate about starting an innovative tech company and know that you are going to build the next Apple, Facebook, Microsoft.... my answer would be "Perhaps you should drop out", however if you are dropping out to become a full time investor... my answer would be "Absolutely Not?"