@Brian Lee overall, I'm a big advocate in that your first property should be a house hack investment, however, I can't exactly speak on behalf of the Bay Area.

I am fine with a tenants rights group, provided they are just a lobbying group advocating for fair treatment.

This is a business with small margins, and blowing a budget (not to mention while they are there and using the material- so not new for next tenant) can lead to financial issues.

It just blow my mind how many people are afraid to make a call today. 

It's a higher down payment (20% typically), but not going to BLOW UP YOUR DEAL a few days before closing.

I always advocate to new investors you learn to walk before you run.

I ran the numbers and it blows everything else I've looked at out of the water.

The ones we have in Tempe are just blowing up

They should also be negotiating and advocating on your behalf, informing you of potential risks, etc.I get just wanting to buy something and get started, and even with as many years as I've been doing this, I've gotten caught up in that frenzy too a couple times. 

So we always suggest to look for longevity and meet those people to see if they are actually knowledgeable, or just seem like they are blowing smoke!