On top of those 'three jobs' we've got 5 kids aged 7-11 between the two of us. 

Job well done!

My goal is to eventually become financially independent to the point of being able to work my current job 6 months out of the year.

That's just a first glance, but that might lead one to lean towards Sacramento as a play for appreciation and rent increases over time, but lean towards Stockton for cashflow today since the prices are lower.... up to you what your goals are.Anecdotally, you hear a lot more people saying "I'm taking my high income job working from home, and moving my 'home' to Sacramento, and just driving to the Bay Area once a month for the monthly work meeting!"

On a job that sizes he would not even ask to paid till the job is complete.

This a job is to rebuild 4 fire damaged apartments.  

@Daniel Palma, Hi, great job on your closing your first deal!

Love it, great job

I spent a weekend looking at their business processes, build quality and the neighborhoods they were in.In my experience the two most important things when investing out of state is to know the market (over 1 million in population with consistent growth, a business friendly government, inexpensive houses, and plenty of jobs) and get to know the team enough to trust them (Do they have construction and property management under 1 roof, how do they acquire their properties, do they know neighborhoods street by street, what is their screening process, etc)Even though i live in ohio and there are some great markets in Cleveland and Columbus, because i have found a great team in Indy, i’ve Been investing with them over the past 5 years and now have 10 units with them.I’ve used leverage in my local markets for growth and SDIRA with the turnkeys to grow my retirement.

I dream of a 1031 exchange, buying a couple rentals in Colorado, and letting those work for me and cover my housing; and I don't see it happening with this mortgage for the next 30 years.