It's a favorable rental market here, with a steady diet of young professionals flocking in. 

While I have a steady W-2 I am still looking for a property that could get tenants in quickly and begin positive cash flowing but may be I am being overly optimistic about the investable universe.

Both are great options, but don't give up a steady paycheck to pursue this until you really know what it all involves.

I use my contractors on about 20-25 jobs a year, so they have steady work.

Be sure to set up a probation period with the understanding you are looking for the right person, and let them know that there are incentives to doing a great job; steady work, pay increase, etc. 

Stability of your employment history/ability to show steady W2 income the last couple years is likely needed as well.

I ended up finding a private money lender looking for a low-risk option to provide steady cash-flow.

We have steady cash flow from the bottom of the pyramid and get equity from the middle and top of the pyramid. 

Slow but steady growth is the trend, but I guess you can choose to view it as you please!

It likely won’t be to COVID levels but more so a steady increase in the value of Santa Cruz Real Estate.The long-term is easily the most predictable.