I chalk that up to someone working their natural market (friends, family, neighborhood) and seeing what they can get out of it.But when I post a CL add for bird dogs I usually get a lot of "applications" from people who really don't follow directions and wonder why they don't get their ~$1,000 finders fee.

The cost per sq. ft. may be high, but that's irrelevant to you, other than the nature of hte situation in that you'll have to come up with more dollars.

There was also a man in Texas that purchased a dam that surrounded his property,  (you have probably seen it being in your line of work), I thought that was interesting, but of course not very practical on a routine basis, but I wondered if something of that nature could be applied in a similar fashion to hurricane shutters.... i.e. you install hurricane shutters and your premium goes way down and they essentially pay for themselves in a couple of years.

People who are older than you naturally want to invest generational knowledge into younger generations.

I have no debt and a well paying job, so I'm ready to start looking at supplementing my income with investing in rental properties.Ideally I'd like to purchase a multi-family home outside of socal that could be managed by someone else with minimal involvement on my part.

Naturally, pre-approved lots on public utilities eliminates a plethora of hoops on the permitting side.  

Because you'll ALWAYS need to repair or replace things on houses, that's the nature of the business.

Call the state department of natural resources.

It's in my nature to do good by people especially those who go above and beyond to help me.  

Naturally, we do not try to charge ourselves an assignment fee over and above the amount of the contact.However, you still need to place a deposit (earnest money) when you make the offer - typically 1% - 5% of the purchase price (once upon a time 10% was the norm) - so you do need cash to play.The part you fail to cover above is "intent".