Is there anyone else in expensive markets like Oakland, San Jose, San Francisco, Manhattan / NYC, San Diego, or Los Angeles that is using the stock market to grow their cash as they stock pile it to deploy on future real estate purchases?

You could ReFi and stock pile CASH.

Thanks for the recommendation, and yes I’ve seen some Space Coast Credit Union locations nearby.  

I have a new cabin nearby, in Bryson City.

I had a case like this where the tenant reported intermittent strong smells coming from the kitchen cabinets but every time I went there (I live nearby), somehow the smell was gone….  

If you're dependent on the job, then it's particularly important, especially if you're planning to house-hack to be nearby.

Zillow, like many automated valuation systems, uses nearby sales to determine value.

We have a family member who bought a house nearby in B.

We realized that it was candle wax; when they blew out the candles the wet wax hit the nearby wall.  

@Robert Hasty: Based on your comments, you seem to be more comfortable having an investment nearby to you in western NC.