Are you just spending way too much money on non-essentials and fanciful desires?

Therefore, it seems that the sellers are already essentially paying for it by selling at a big discount, and having the buyer pay off the lien.

ALL RE is cyclic and Calif is typically an 8-9 cycle, especially in the most desirable areas like SF Bay area, Orange County.  2008 was a major down turn due to the mortgage industry collapse, not true property values. 

Typically they want to see something like accepting a new job that is further away.

How much do rents typically compress and how wide will cap rates get before you want to start deploying capital in the east bay?

I know about the services Costar offers, but I'm wondering who or where typically has this information on hand locally?

I have a guy that works way cheaper then he should and does them for about $1300 labor which I know is crazy so I am trying to get a grasp on reality when I start shopping rates again.For a small full bathroom we typically do a complete gut except we keep the tub and reglaze it -  Labor usually consists of ceramic tile shower surround/tile floor - new toilet,light,mirror,towel bar,faucet, shower head - trim and painI know this is region specific but just interested to hear others

How long would you make your study period (what is typical for residential zoning) and what specific questions would you be seeking to answer?  

They are the bible of operating the business and essential to properly dealing with tenants.

Do you think appraisers typically make reports strictly from data or do you think personal bias play a factor.