I will push for things like higher deposits, shorter closings, fewer contingencies, higher price, etc. 

But for me, 12k extra a month with fewer properties is more than enough for me.

It is super slim picking for small multis here- and even fewer that actually make sense numbers wise. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------property SQFT = 1830Property purchase cost = 139000Rehab = 160000Arv = 422000Sqft going rate is $223 sqft  DANGER - DANGER - DANGER - This will not be the value of a house 80% bigger on the same lot.Existing homes around have sold in the 250k range in 2019.Is it advisable to take up this flip and put on market at 422K when all the neighborhood homes are in the 250k price range?

Fewer people to hire price is less wear and tear on the property and on you use a property management system such as owner reservations or sink B&B or smoobu 2 manage the four listing sites and use a dynamic pricer together.

I live in CA too but in Oakland in an area that is safe from PG&E shut offs (urban, no wildfire danger, near BART, close to Alameda).

You’ll find fewer deals the better the deal you need is, and more as you approach market value.  

With fewer buyers and lots of people to house there is great opportunity for owning rental property.Consider suburbia.Major metropolitan areas are safe bets when it comes to rentals.

If you have fewer pads, it doesn't make sense to have an o-site property manager as you will only need them p/t. 

The danger in this is you can be so far apart on price after inspection and the deal flops and you wasted a lot of time when the seller was expecting a sale price very close to initial offer.