Look at the following indicators over a 10-15 year period to understand trends: population, job growth, job diversity, income growth, median (not medium) home price, crime rates, and vacancy rates. 

I'm just trying to figure out if this is a healthy financial practice or maybe an indication of something gone wrong.

As indicated, your valuation deserves at a minimum an asterisk that indicates something similar to valuation based on cap rates which likely is not the method an appraisal is likely to use.  

It says 104K in depreciation and 112K for cost of improvements, yet it doesn't subtract that amount, but settles at 202K for indicated value.

It's one of the best indicators of whether someone meets their financial obligations.I've taken tenants with zero credit score, 450, 520, etc.The background check doesn't tell you if someone will be a good renter or not.

For the record: "The monthly S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Home Price Indices use the “repeat sales method” of index calculation – an approach that is widely recognized as the premier methodology for indexing housing prices – which uses data on properties that have sold at least twice, in order to capture the true appreciated value of each specific sales unit.

Do it when You want or need to minimize taxes.

Hi, I am a small investor looking for some insights and opinions on following two questions1. what are your reasons for investing in southern california or california in general given very minimal cashflow, rent control and higher property cost in the area. 2.

There are minimal qualifications.

Please note that specific information such as the property address and names of those directly or indirectly involved in this particular real estate transaction were intentionally omitted to maintain confidentiality given delicate subject matter of/affecting health, life and safety.IntroductionHaving provided carbon monoxide (CO) testing of gas utilization equipment for well over ten years during the 1980's and 1990's in addition to having learned about the production, mitigation, prevention, testing, and harmful effects of elevated levels of carbon monoxide due to incomplete combustion of natural gas utilization equipment from a recognized leader/foremost authority on carbon monoxide testing in the industry by the name of Jim Davis—senior carbon monoxide/combustion trainer and consultant for the National Comfort Institute (NCI), who began traveling the country during the 80's and 90's conducting carbon monoxide training seminars for building and HVAC contractors, building inspectors, utility companies and virtually anyone interested in learning about carbon monoxide testing and proven methods to mitigate and prevent gas utilization equipment from producing elevated levels of carbon monoxide in flue gas known to cause CO poisoning—has without a doubt proven invaluable in heightening my awareness of conditions conducive to/indicative of incomplete combustion known to result in elevated/unsafe levels of CO in flue gas.