Considering that you are coming from San Diego you should not experience the same amount of sticker shock I had when moving here from the southeast.

She had a sticker of our local junior college on her car. 

Including cleaning the house, patching walls, peeled paint due to stickers on the walls, they left the kitchen really dirty, food in the fridge, etc.

Exterior of the house- pressure wash- new mailbox- new address numbers- paint trim- paint siding- paint doors- paint security or storm doors- paint shutters- repair concrete around foundation- paint foundation around perimeter of house- new light fixture in front- new light fixture in back- replace all damaged/rotten wood/trim/siding around house- new double sided gate latch- repair fence around yard- replace any missing/broken tension pumps on storm/security doors- clean out storage room- repair and paint inside storage room- replace any missing/torn/damaged window screens- remove all stickers from all windowsMain Interior- paint all walls- paint trim and doors- paint ceilings and closets- install new blinds throughout- install new doorstops throughout- install new doorknobs throughout- replace broken light switch and outlet covers- replace missing/broken light bulbs- install new smoke detectors- install new fire extinguisher- install two new smoke detectors or as required per code- install new fire extinguisherDen- new ceiling fan with light- paint cabinets inside and out- new hardware on cabinetsKitchen- 2 new two-bulb brushed nickel light fixture(s)- paint cabinets inside and out- new hardware on cabinets- replace missing hardware on cabinets- install new countertops- new backsplash at stove opening- new vent-a-hood- remove old dishwasher- caulk sink, floor, counterLaundry Room- 1 new two-bulb brushed nickel light fixture(s)Hall Bathroom- paint cabinets inside and out- new shower head- new shower bar- new toilet seat- caulk toilet, sink, tub, floorMaster Bathroom- 2 new two-bulb brushed nickel light fixture(s)- paint cabinets inside and out- new hardware on cabinets- new shower head- new shower bar- new toilet seat- new toilet paper holder- caulk toilet, sink, tub, floorBedroom 1- 1 new two-bulb brushed nickel light fixture(s)Master Bedroom- new ceiling fan with lightBedroom 2- 1 new two-bulb brushed nickel light fixture(s)Hallway- 1 new two-bulb brushed nickel light fixture(s)Additional Items- rekey all locks- mow yard/landscaping- plumbing repairs as recommended by a licensed plumbing contractor- install new water heater- HVAC repairs as recommended by a licensed HVAC contractor- install new air handler- clean & service existing AC- electrical repairs as recommended by a licensed electrical contractor- install new carpet in: bedrooms- install new vinyl plank flooring in: kitchen;laundry;hallway;den- chemically clean roof- install new dishwasher- cleaning at completion of renovation

They are about $5 each when you buy a pack of them, then put a sticker on the door/window/fence, whatever is the first access point.

I actually have an sticker map of the US at my office (you know the kind you see on RVs?).

I'm having a bit of sticker shock, and this is all new to me, so I don't know what's the "expected" price.Thanks!

Since you're coming from NYC, there shouldn't be sticker shock for you... you can def find something in the 3500-4000 range, if not a bit less.Happy to connect, if you'd like more local perspective.

Problem #3: Residents never were able to see the bill unless we emailed it to them (yet another time sink.)Although upgrades were meant to fix the sticker shock, it has not improved, but gotten worse.  

   - The electrical previously completed for the upstairs addition was inspected and the state's stickers are intact on the electrical panels- When I asked the city to provide me with the permits for the remodel done by the previous owners the city told me "they were having trouble locating them" - To the best of my  research, the city's code and International Residential Code do not limit the number of cooking provisions, entryways, bathrooms, or electrical meters, on a single family house