I suspect it's about politics (certainly not the market) and city assessors are under pressure to keep assessments high. 

I do not have the stress and pressure of needing to close my next deal by the end of the week, by the end of this month, or even by the end of this year.I live in one of the nicest neighborhoods, in one of the most beautiful states, in the best country that has ever existed on this Earth.I am a Real Estate Investor.

For my guy - he would probably be about $3000 + paint if lap siding with only window and facia trim and he's not 30' in the air fighting trees.

As I'm working on two more possible purchases right now, it's up in the air whether the garage will happen in Spring/summer based on my schedule since its more of a nice to have versus a need.

Contractors make more money generally working for retail homeowners and not investors, so it is a fine line to how much pressure you can put on them. 

I would imagine 2 or 3 step pressure reducer, if they really exist, as the house only need about 10% or less pressure from the 8".

They Still aren't picking it up and my blood pressure is increasing.!

I also AIR BNB my place here in LA, and so I'm interested in doing more analysis on the short-term rental markets.  

I used to be a big windows guy, but I do love my MacBook air I have to say..... also have used a chromebook with good success but watch out for formatting stuff using MS word.

I'm only pointing out that asking a buyer to write a check to you personally seems like a bad business decision to me (it's not the way that regulated businesses do things and it's presuming/pressuring a level of trust that doesn't necessarily exist).