In the past I have gone to H&R Block (rip off) or used turbotax for my taxes, but this year I bought my first investment property and do not really know where to start with my taxes.

Plus I now have J Scott's book on estimating rehab costs to battle rip off contractors.

Of course, her ideas were crazy and would've left me with much less profit (as just 1 example, she wanted me to rip out brand new granite kitchen counters because she didn't like granite).  

I feel like I got totally ripped off and screwed.

Just finished reading an article regarding evictions in CA. There are services that specialize in screwing landlords and buying time, in many instances many months, where tenants aren't paying rent. A quote from Julia...

The poor butt-hurt person you sent your letter to was not in their right mind about this, they have probably been victim to scams in the past or thought you were a South African prince in need of money.When at the Rip-Off Report website you can file a rebuttal or request a VIP Arbitration (starts about $2000.00) the information is all on the ROR website and in about 30 seconds you can resolve this...

They also admittedly have approved similar claims in the past, so I have requested copies of all requests made over the four years the condo building has been in business (only 12 units, so it can't be too much).I won't really be able to get an appropriate estimate without ripping up the floor boards, so should I just choose a reputable contractor and then take them to small claims court?

At this point you're lacking any solid facts and it may not be best going around accusing a property manager of ripping someone off.

Anyone promising her 3.625% is lying, and she's going to think someone quoting 4.5% is trying to rip her off.

I have had a lot of scammers rip off my ads in lots of areas, and post fake ads with the same pictures and a crazy low rental rate.