A person with a reasonable full time job is typically a more responsible adult and has to act in a professional manner for their job. 

Their lack of ethics and competence resulted in significant and avoidable complications that could have been prevented with a more reputable organization.

Inbetween requires a more careful analysis. 

:-) I have always just done American Craftsman (Home Depot) or ThermaStar (Lowe's) depending on which store is closing to my job, but truth be told I would think I could find something at a more contractor/landlord friendly price but haven't done well in locating someone yet.

Or at least then you can make a more informed decision.  

Basic supply and demand would dictate either supply rising greater than demand or a significant lower demand, or a more-likely somewhere in-between.

Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner or The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

To add to the great suggestions, if you're finding the L.A. market souring and you have any equity in those investments you've already established, it may be in your best interest to liquidate at some point to move your capital to a more profitable location or another type of investment.

It looks like we are trending towards a more equal seller/buyer market place.

Change things like interest rates and rent payments if they are not currently agreed upon to get a more comprehensive view.