Again, you need to look at the entire picture, and determine what's the best fit for the home. 

Rent a place that comfortably fits in their budget and then pay their rent on time. 

In order to succeed not only in marriage but in real estate investing you both have to be on the same page.Next the path to finding the property that best fits your goal to financial prosperity will be difficult.  

I work with almost 150 investors/clients, most of which are out of state, who have properties in the Indianapolis metro area and would be happy to answer some questions and put you in touch with some people who may be able to help you determine your best direction, but there is no "one size fits all" approach.

I can speak to single family:I like solid B areas, for me this is Riverside/San Marco looking at with a few tertiary markets like 32210, I look at crime and schools to determine if the area is a good fit for me.

Could fit another house on the property.

I want to do this because I can then better determine what will fit in my rehab budget.

You are essentially asking the BP community whether the asset in CA should be held onto because it fits your life plans a decade from now, or whether the asset in CA should be sold because it fits your investing strategy goals today.

I have no problem giving time to bid a project I may be awarded (will only lose the project if my cost, working style, or availability are not in line with goals); however, I can't afford to give time bidding a project that a client may be unable to award, even if we’re the perfect fit (they don’t own or have the property under contract).

They were a perfect fit for me at that time:  no risk and no cash-out-of-pocket.