This was super eye opening as someone planning to build an ADU in Orange County, CA.

But that is often an "apples to oranges" comparison unless you're going to live in the property/house hack.Got it.

Hi Scott, consider USFR for zero risk cash, earns 5.4% holding 8 week Floating rate note US treasuriesor for mild risk cash, consider BKN - BlackRock's Muni fund, earns 5.6% tax free, which for you would be >9% tax-equivalent yield, and if rates fall, the BKN etf will rise considerably, which though will be capital gains taxable :(, It holds intermediate term Municipals that are all GO, general obligation, so they can always tax us dumb schmuck citizens to pay off the notes instead of defaulting, so low risk but not zero risk for cash. ie (Orange county '90s)Inflation has already resolved, the 3 month trailing core PCE is at 1.5%, well below FEDs 2% target, so they will likely start cutting soon as the 12 month trail falls in line, that's why Powell changed his verbiage so much last Wednesday, and FOMC minutes speak of 150 bp cuts before the end of December as their expectation per their Dot Plots, the only question remaining is consumer spending,(>60% US economy), if falling like McDonalds/Starbucks/Uber saying then unemployment will accelerate and then possible recession, then 10yr yield falls even more, and bonds values would rise like Mike just said above.

I am filing a suit in Orange County Superior Court and along with reporting to following government entity. 

These are examples of how you could still be comparing apples to oranges focusing on safety and cash flow alone.

I am a big believer in working with what the market offers you, instead of trying to grow oranges in the winter.Back in 2010 that was foreclosures, in 2015 it was short sales. 

I live in orange county Ca and we have the same issue.

@Connie Kirkpatrick big fines and orange jump suits

You building and handling the rental, hanging signs, etc is an orange.

Seems like 4 years ago you could buy higher quality product for depressed pricing versus today so somewhat and apples to oranges comparison of the quality of product and area for the price point.I don't do SFR at all but know much better opportunities in better areas 4 years back.