What about operating within your LLC, I assume every property purchased is considered as investment?  

Operating without GLI exposes you greatly and the IRS frowns upon those who attempt to skirt the issue of employees by wrongfully claiming independent worker status.

Anyone that's been doing this since before the recession operated in that world, I have not and don't think I'd have been a good fit for that world.I know a few realtors that gave up on lending and became realtors specifically because they could not be competitive in a world that rewards crummy behavior.

I operate by putting everything in google calendar, and google contacts.

You just need to learn how to operate in your unique REI environment ... the strategies that the Mid-West and Deep South folks employ and preach on BP, just won't work in your market.

You could look at targeting tear downs, small homes on larger lots, or operate more on the fringe of the city. 

In that case I'd suggest staying in your Operating Agreement guidelines and not pissing off your other members with hotel bills and dinners.

True some of the big tech companies may be diversifying satellite operations into those markets, but I don't really see them closing down their bay area shops to move everything there ... any other ones where prices haven't run yet?

I define cash flow as the amount of cash I receive from a property each month, net of all operating expenses, interest and amortization.  

We all have businesses to run, and that's just the way some people operate their business.