@John Schick I know this is your first post but for future reference, that question is totally broad, and no one is going to like to answer it.  

I have seen a few rehabbers creep into Ashview but I have not seen enough activity to see how broad the market is.

Quick answers: They are looking at the whole spectrum, and my intent is to help them understand their budget.

There is definitely a spectrum and personally if I had to choose I’d rather be in a market that has consistently over a long period of time, even through the ups and downs, seen significant appreciation.

I personally love South Broad Ripple (SoBro) and own a couple of rentals there.Bates-Hendricks: Close to downtown and Fountain Square, this neighborhood has been on the rise for fix and flips.Irvington: Known for its historic charm, it's a neighborhood with potential for flipping older homes (if you are lucky enough to find a cheap property there).Garfield Park: Offers affordable options and is near a large park, making it attractive to families.

@Jack Taylor - if you are more of a visual person, here are some diagrams that might help you further on this quest: Asset Protection Decision Diagram - to help assess the need for asset protection, and what to implement: https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-decision-diagramAsset Protection Onion Diagram - what, when, and at what cost one should implement in terms of asset protection - https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-onion-diagram-v2What is needed for complete asset protection OR the domains that need to be intersected to find asset protection - https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-spectrum-diagramHow a fully implemented asset protection layout might look. - https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-structuresIf you want more details, from an investor perspective, PM me. 

This includes books that talk about specific strategies of investing, broad categories, investing mentality books (like Rich Dad Poor Dad), business books, marketing books, sales books, mindset books, etc...

By "keeping things looking positive" and "blowing sunshine up their wazoos to make them feel good" or talking about things as they are, good, bad, or elsewhere along that spectrum?

You'll want to look into the very broad interpretation of what constitutes doing business by the CA FTB and see if it applies to you. 

May never see a return and have to adhere to a number of laws determined by the particular state, obtain servicing, etc.That's a veeeeery broad rundown and there's a lot more to know on both, but hopefully it helps!