Some are probably related but some are not.

The thing you'll probably be surprised about going from here to there is they don't have basements or if they do they don't count them in square footage.

With rules in place to keep the feel of the community in place as much as you can.Sorry, I know this probably doesn't help answer your question much but it's a good and provocative question for discussion! 

@Nancy Roth This is probably gonna sound horrible...

Shared laundry probably doesn't make sense for only 3 units.Individual hook ups would be a big selling point to new tenants, but you can't cheap out by not having a HW hook up to the w/d.

Louis, I would probably have limited my focus to that market.Due to my current studies and lack of income, I'm currently helping my father get started as a real estate investor (the blind leading the blind so to speak) rather than pursuing deals for myself.

In your situation you'll probably need to just keep saving I'd be very interested to see what you get pre-approved for, but based on what you've told us I'd be shocked if it was anything over $250k which won't get you anything in the Bay Area. 

And yes, you can probably do it cheaper if they can do it more efficiently.

My husband would probably go for the last option as this house is paid off in 9 years and would could probably make more off of a sell. 

Also probably ~8% of rents for repairs capex depending on the age of the property and about 5% for vacancy depending on the area.