Not by my choice.  

As a manager, if there is that much in the way of higher end rental then that would be my choice.

Personally, I don't think there is much merit in trying to say I planned for any different outcome, even though I am open to any alternate outcome.

In a open market the tenant has a choice to go somewhere else if they don't want to pay a Application fee. 

It's not a choice. 

In the next 4 weeks I will visit the city of choice to meet potential turnkey provider, CPA, Attorney, home inspector etc. to build the local team, plus location and property checks. 

I have a lot of friends up there and like I said lived there myself, but no one I've ever known lives there by choice unless it is to save money by living cheaper than they can in LA (not a good sign).

I think trying to make the house as maintenance free as possible such as xeriscaping, solar panels etc as well as environmentally conscious fix up choices for materials you can appeal to a good market.

Would this be a good alternative to our first plan?

I have the means to finance it myself, so maybe I will get a pre approval to get it under contract and look for the alternative financing once it is secure.