Most contractors here in California will charge their hourly rate and possibly ad on a smaller charge if they need an assistant.  

For example, in California, we have earthquake and foundational issues.

People still sleep on the area and it is very close to Nor CA but has a lot of different benefits with similar appreciation. 

California does not have a law requiring deposits to be held separately (neither did Alabama when i had Alabama properties) and it seems like a significant hassle to address a virtually never occurring event (not having money to return deposit to the tenant). 

1.5k List 4 plus 2 1/2. 125k update no one has lived in since remodel.9737 Keeneland Row Blackhorse Community La Jolla CA

Hi Anthony-You asked about the best ways to find off-market deals for your in-laws to buy and move into and you are focussed on the Santa Barbara, CA area which I have been to and it is gorgeous.It kind of reminds me of an Ann Arbor on the ocean. :)Anyway, I like your strategy of driving and looking for houses in need of repair and sending handwritten letters and contacting rentals for the reasons you gave.

@Steve King  yup strange saga this one.. 

@Randall King If you find the property isn't performing well, a 1031 exchange would defer the tax and concentrate that equity into something that has a greater cash flow potential, like what @Corby Goade said.

Andre,First off congrats on making the move out of CA and into a more accomodatinng state like CO in terms of Taxes, Home prices, and future to build a sucessful REI portfolio. 

Secondly when I was more involved with CA RE in the LA basin.