Ran the numbers quickly and realized that cash flow is extremely difficult in the bay for an average investor.

I will say 4% cap rate is extremely low, even larger more desirable properties are in the 5.5-6.5% range which will change your math significantly

I think @David Greene would be be disappointed no one has mentioned the BRRRR strategy to get after your goal.

The property is a 3 BR/1 BA in Benton Park neighborhood of Bakersfield, CA.I approached this as a BRRRR deal, and wrote a blog post about my sources for these numbers (including the expected monthly rental income, which I realize is extremely optimistic to many seasoned investors, when compared to Rentometer numbers).Even at this optimistic income level, I concluded that this deal was unlikely to succeed. 

Bob can be described as someone extremely intelligent but unable to keep his intelligence on topic. 

@Jerryll NoordenPlease excuse my extremely late response.

Our hopes are to sell the units individually as the area has very little in the way of starter home priced properties, but is extremely popular because of the excellent school district and high quality community.We are considering flipping the standard "one road" site plan and instead running a one-way street around the back of the units and facing them all into a common green space (pocket neighborhood style).

Another reason is if a really good deal showed up on my doorstep today (that either came to me organically, or I've uncovered), either off market or on market, I can close extremely fast if I need to to get the purchase.

This thread has not disappointed.

However, I am a 39 year old working professional w/ 3 extremely busy kids and things have become increasingly difficult to manage.