It’s no secret, or great trick.

The trick is to hang in long enough and stop doing the things that are awful and/or unproductive.

The fact that you put a video on was the trick.

So I'm accumulating more CA properties and OOS.However, here's the trick: if you want to purchase in Bay Area, there're still some cash-flowing market in bay area.

I'm impressed you've done it on a budget of around $1600 - I probably spend twice that when tricking out a new place, and once you factor in true capex (like a new roof) I spend closer to $10k per property when I initially begin.  

I could pack an hour full of recommendations on software, resources, tips and tricks! 

I generally have a strong emotional reaction and then work to a more logical, sustainable response...the trick is getting to that logical response before I write an email/place a phone call etc..The fire marshall is a pretty reasonable guy and indicated that he'd be willing to work with me on it, but I'm probably going to have to spend some money/time convincing neighbors to turn the existing 10 ft. alley into something close to an 18 ft one. 

Trick is to live below your means right now and save.Also, think about getting into a high income or commission driven job... something where you aren't being just paid by the hour, but can really accelerate your savings. 

This will lead them to pull out the multi-family bag of tricks, free rent months rent, lowers security deposits, free HBO...

I like to say, if you need to use all the tricks to make a deal work, then it's not a deal.