I can get 3000 people for under $300...list source seems quite expensive!

Thankfully I can afford to be a little riskier with this "investment" right now with my current job that I just started, and I don't plan on quitting anytime soon. 

Guess I need to add quite a few more doors to my portfolio before I can think about learning to fly a helicopter. 

If you don't want to quit your day job, that is the best way to go.Then when you want to get dirty, you can buy low dollar non performers, though you will need a good real estate attorney if they won't pay.

I believe it would be quite difficult to find quality tenants w/ great income. 

The returns aren't quite as good as Denver, but they're still good, and the prices are lower in the Springs.And of course, the big reason we like it down there is because the regulatory environment is friendly to Airbnb/VRBO and short-term rentals.

It's those maniacs that buy homes cash via quit claim deed off of craigslist that really get screwed.Make sure your property manager is a licensed real estate brokerage.Understand you can not eliminate all risk, only mitigate it.

There are quite a few active Bay Area REI groups that have some great events.

I figured as much but wasn't quite sure. 

There are quite a few of these being built in the newer parts of town, because there is a high demand for them.