The goal would be to enhance your returns and diversify while accumulating, but also to take a qualifying distribution in order to make a significant purchase or acquisition where you hopefully can benefit even more.  

As I mentioned in a previous post - different lifestyles, philosophies, politics, values, cost of living, etc.I'm going to assume based on your disdain for tyrannical governments and liberal overreach, you are not investing in California, either. 

We were originally moving from the Bay Area in hopes of finding our dream property and lifestyle on a small hobby farm in Central Oregon.

I believe you’ve got to make a choice; either you run a BUSINESS and if it’s a startup expect to spend 50 hours per week or more at it, or you INVEST in real estate, maybe growing your portfolio to the point where you employ property managers, and concentrate on the acquisition, disposition, analysis, negotiation, financing. tax minimization, asset protection, structure, operation efficiency, expense reduction, revenue enhancement, and strategy of real estate properties.  

I was hoping to aim at a mix of hot markets that are also within driving distance so I both have the option of checking in on it easily and can use it as a lifestyle asset as well.Thoughts?

It is a fallacy to believe you can get into real estate investing without cash. 95% of investors fail, the major stumbling block is lack of cash.It may take a long time but you must adjust your life style and save up the cash to begin investing.

If she’s a working attorney with a 350k education and can’t set aside 52k/year, I am forced to call BS on her “frugal” lifestyle.

You will learn things you can apply to you current investment business or you may find a whole new investment approach that fits your lifestyle and goals.

Some losers do eventually turn their lives around and need to settle their past debts to move forward.If your tenant was S8 you can not collect so don't waste your time, they have settled for that life style.

You have the buyers who have been couped up due to covid and are looking to buy a second home as a lifestyle asset.