@Clay SmithVery true, but I think I might work an area that I am very familiar with and can work some contacts where I grew up and with less competition but maybe in some time I will come play with the big boys. 

Would seem you'd need to get out of the actual city into the greater bay area to get away from that, how many true SFHs are rented out and how many units are post 1979 actually within the city?

That is actually true.

It may be worth it to just block off access for one unit, or split it awkwardly and have it primarily as a "dog run" or garden type area than a true backyard for either tenant, but definitely do away with the common space as soon as finances allow.

Its hard for me to believe any true investor would past this up and if they did either they do not know what they were doing or they arent investors at all.So the 70% rule definitely has a place in flipping but it is not the ultimate determination of a deal. along side a few other considerations the 70% rule is a great tool, but like all tools they are only valuable when the are used correctly

Make sure you get thorough inspections done so you know the true condition and can plan accordingly. 

The more of these that are true of a home, the more likely it is your main home. 

Although I have no problem working with first time home buyers and I still do to this very day, I realized the true riches in real estate were found in investing.

The deal just sounds too good to be true.

Leverage their local knowledge and expertise and use the team mentality to succeed.This holds true in any market you are looking to become successful in. 50-60% of all of our clients do not live in Texas and many not even in the country, the continue to buy and invest because the see value in team and leverage