They are out 2x a year servicing and checking.

chat with everyone. everyone. i talk to people in line at the check out at stores. you never know who you will meet. some people cant do this. or wont. we can fix cant.

If the local zoning permits it, you need to check your condo/ HOA association next: most of them don't allow short-term rentals but some do.

The huge negative is that you're not there in person to check on the properties frequently. 

Check Your Area’s Water Level: Often overlooked, especially by new investors unfamiliar with septic systems, the effectiveness of a septic system hinges on its leach fields.

I'm trying to help out other CA investors (I still think buying locally is better than an inexpensive property OOS where you can't check up on the property)I don't know the Peninsula well but expensive Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Cupertino would be Class A to me.

Check the meter reading on prior months bill and check the water meter on the day they move out.

Will def check that out. 

Double that to 40, either SFRs or unit counts in multifamily, and it should cover most people's FI number for comfortable living standards.

I have done background checks on other units.