Decent purchase price to rent ratioSome of the areas I'm looking into are:HaywardSan LeandroOakleyConcordPleasant HillBrentwoodTracyMantecaTurlockModestoSacramentoMy concern about some of the areas specifically in the Central Valley (often recommended here on BP) like Fresno, Turlock, etc, is that looking at numbers the appreciation doesn't seem to meet the mark for me (purchase price to rent ratio is decent, but equity isn't very good), so I'm generally focused more on the SF Bay Area.Any recommendations on cities or areas would be extremely helpful. 

Thanks for your help!

If I can help you on anything please contact me through BP at any time.I know that they typically make more on their rental money because of how they are rented.  

Very impressive portfolio...I would love to connect and help where I can so you can achieve the volume you are striving for!

I’m familiar with property valuation, flipping, etc and would love to help in any way.

There are lenders who will let you pull out 75%-80% or so, possibly based on rents vs your own income if you don’t qualify that way, but their rates and fees will typically be higher than conventional loan products, and you may need rental history to go that route.

We were going to start gifting them money to help cover those expenses when the idea came up of buying their house to give them a cash infusion.

I'd be happy to help and share some of the things we may have done differently. 

Now you're back because you think BP can help your business.

Converting your STR to a primary residence for 2 years can help avoid some capital gains taxes under the Section 121 exclusion (up to $250K or $500K if married), but it won't eliminate depreciation recapture.