@Robert Herrera I always thought the lease option was this great investing strategy I heard so much about in comparison to regular month to month tenants.

For example, when we get 3 quotes for repairs, most of the time we know 2 vendors are not getting the job and are quoting for comparison sake.

Given how much of global wealth is concentrated in the hands of 2 percent of the population it is likely that in any representative sampling most people will have little by comparison. 

It holds its land value, even though the land portion is tiny by comparison.

As for the Brooklyn comparison, I'm talking more about prime Brooklyn like Williamsburg vs  Harlem. 

It's a valid comparison.  

This can more advantageous when there is slightly larger group and for example, lets say one of them doesn't want to or is unable to partner on a deal that comes up.If you two just go directly for a multi-member LLC, it doesn't mean you are "inflexible" by comparison. 

I've lost money in appreciating markets that suddenly were not appreciating. but depreciating.If Apple stock doubled in value every ten years then that would be a better comparison to Bay Area real estate that has done EXACTLY that. 

The property is very affordable in comparison to back home and I want to use this to my advantage.     

The comparison is not even there.