If you have to buy it, nobody can prevent you. But from investment criteria, this is a bad investment. You also need to consider a 10-20% vacancy rate in any one year. That would increase your negative cash flow. In such a high negative cash flow case, I would not recommend this. Guranteed for future growth, maybe right. But what if prie doesn't move for 5 years, you will lose more than 125K, big ouch! very bad idea. If really have to invest, go over to Las Vegas, get a super bargain from one of the desparate home builders with 30% discount. You may be able to buy a similar sized single home for only 250K for example, I bet you can rent for 1700/month. This is a much much better scenario. Who says Las Vegas is any less guranteed than Bay area in terms of future price appreciation?