Usually its a safer bet.

With interest rates holding steady (so far) and US Treasury yields hovering in the 4-5% range, many investors are weighing the pros and cons of staying in bonds versus seeking opportunities in real estate. While Tre...

Why, because of the main stable coins, it is the only one on of the largest exchanges, Binance, will NOT do a 1:1.So, you're best bets would be those like USDC, TUSD, GUSD, BUSD.

Quote from @Brandon Foster: Hello Ryan,STR is do able in the north county area but there are a lot of rules and regulations.The city of Oceanside right now will not allow anything STR unless it’s west of pacific coast hwy.This is changing a lot too so you need to be aware of that in your plans.Carlsbad is super strict too but there are some condos that are still available to do STR in.Medium term rentals are as safer bet but way less profitable.

Other Strategies: Are there safer or more profitable alternatives I should consider? 

Much easier for people to use and safer overall.It is shocking to me how many folks can't start a fire.

So I’d like to hear your strategies on the best ways (safer ways?)

Is it safer to find a property already occupied?

I'd bet on Austin over 30 years, but again, not necessarily relative to SFO. 

I know that I am taking a huge risk by wanting to build but the existing properties are either in areas I’d never live in or too far away from the Metro Detroit area and I really want to come back to the city in the safer parts before I’m priced out in the future.