But California also has pretty onerous land-use regulations that limit supply, and there’s been a lot less financial distress than people were expecting, with one of the lowest loan-to-value ratios on outstanding mortgages in the country.

Working full time and investing in real estate is pretty normal. 

Someone with a good shop vac that has a long hose can get it cleaned out pretty easily. 

Here in AZ, you can generally piece together those subcontractors at pretty cheap rates, so unless you need an acutal GC for permits being pulled, etc...

I have never been, but I have heard great things about Grant Cardone's conferences.. although I would imagine they would be pretty "salesy"

It sounds like Columbus OH is pretty hot, Memphis TN, and some areas in the southern Midwest as well. 

They are out there but rates pretty bad seen stuff in the 9s 

I'm in Columbus, OH, and it's pretty straightforward here.

Pretty much no unless you are doing something unconventional or happen to find some insane deal

(or its an old phone number that they don't use anymore) I am currently using Propwire because Propstream is pretty expensive.