This era was replaced by the likes of eBay and Yahoo who were then pushed aside by the likes of Google, Apple, Facebook and Salesforce.

There will be a lot of bad apples you must take the time to find someone decent.

With the new apple campus announced in Austin, expect lot more companies to move in.

I too work as a consultant (Business Pro, with Apple) and I am beginning my REI ventures this year. 

Maybe Im just lazy, but I’d rather the apple fall out of the tree than risk climbing it and falling out myself.

Grew up in SD, but lived in Bakersfield & LA awhile.Have you thought of looking in Ventura, Tehachapi, Palmdale or Victorville/Apple Valley?  

You must compare apples to apples - I would never remotely compare my real estate experience to that of a full time real estate agent/broker/investor/developer/contractor. 

Almost none of it apples to me or my goals.

So, while I can not speak to what goes on in the so-called “hood” I can say we have some bad apples up here in the ‘burbs.

I liked the quick multiple quoting process and the detailed question the app asked so you get some apples to apples pricing.I would caution that a few vendors "quote" an on-call visit that they will waive if they get the job so it may appear they only cost $50 or $90 for a $300 job.