> Buy in a VHCOL area like San Francisco

How does this work? VHCOL does not mean that prices will appreciate or even sustain.

SF history very much indicates that prices will continue to appreciate and sustain pretty comfortably.

I mean yes it’s a bet, but real estate in SF has historically done very well. The progressives/NIMBYs have a strong presence to thwart new housing so that existing properties increase in value.