Investing in Bay Area - Condo vs SFH (Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood)

[Mushfique Ahmed]

Hello, BP community,

New investor here looking to invest in (far) East Bay. My price range is around 600K but I am still not sure about investing in a condo or an SFH in the aforementioned cities. I am looking for something that would rent easily and quickly and also mostly looking for appreciation since I know getting positive cash flow is next to impossible in the Bay Area market. Looking for a reasonably safe area as well that would attract better tenants.

I looked at condos in Walnut Creek, San Jose, Santa Clara, Fremont, and Hayward as well (since only condos would be within my price range in these areas) but the fear of being in an HOA is what's pushing me toward SFH. And I would only be able to afford SFH in Bay Point, Pittsburg, Antioch, and Brentwood.

Would love to hear your thoughts, advice for a newbie investor, and any pointers on where I should head.