My goal is growth, but ultimately I am looking for passive income for retirement.I am a fast learner and drinking from a fire hose right now via books, blogs, and podcasts, but I also realize that networking is a must.  

I actually could have made a reasonable living doing this if I switched to full-time, however I wasn't truly in love with the concept and its overall growth potential.

My thoughts were along those lines as well, with the idea being to hold some solid, cash-flowing rentals.I'm curious to know if other people are utilizing alternative strategies during slow economic growth conditions.

Is it an area with growth because of industry, education, transportation?

Find/Get a local Team of local and experienced professionals that can help you get things done for you and your company's growth and your help.  

Hi Fellow Bigger Pockets Followers,As metropolitan cities experience growth patterns and changing footprints of areas of opportunities, are research must reflect that as well.

good luck Mindy finding hiring and retaining top staff is critical to a companies well being and growth. 

When research markets for things like demographics, wage growth population growth , and attracting the creative class; what websites or specific data do you pull where do you get your information and what numbers and specific trends do you look for most when choosing to invest buy and hold wether commercial or residential?

Rent growth has slowed which lends people to believe that we are getting towards the top of the market.

A true 'bubble' would be at least State-wide if not National.Your concerns for the Bay Area are well founded however and tightly coupled to Tech jobs and regional job growth.