I'm an insurance broker and I shop with 30 A rated insurance carriers for the best rate. 

I would suggest applying at other body shops or consider asking your boss for a raise.I had a friend years ago that worked at a body shop.

It's a lot scarier shopping around for a first house than shopping around for my first boom box when I was a kid.  

There's many companies in southern California that are one stop shops where they have architects, engineers, etc. if you do a search.

There is a real estate meet up in Plano I am hosting on April 20th at 12p at The Shops at Legacy.  

For anyone with experience long-distance, do you prefer using a local mortgage shop or big bank?

The basements and garage were disgusting, years of trash (poor management prior to my takeover) trash bags were piled in the corner, and the dryers didn't even have vent hoses, they just vented straight into the basement.

The units themselves look good: kitchens, bathrooms, garaged, in unit washer/dryer, central AC, a little yard, within a mile of shopping.

This is not surprising, as people are also earning a very good income in plumbing supplies, accounting services, and smoothies shops.  

Best of all - it is very inexpensive and available at a local shop or online called Wisconsin Legal Blanks.