Although we're not as pricey as the bay area, we're also certainly not an inexpensive market and there are trade-offs to investing here. 

I was led to believe that it should trade somewhere around 3-4 times gross sales

When a user purchases cryptocurrency at a given price and then later trades it away — whether by buying a coffee or by selling it on an exchange — the sale is subject to capital gains tax because it is considered property.Failing to report the transaction to the IRS could expose the user to criminal and financial penalties."

I've been a contractor for more than 50 years with licenses for 8 specialty trades.

@Kristen ChapinAlso note the interest rate should be better on the shorter fixed period but the trade-off is that it’s only fixed for a shorter period.

If you do choose to manage the property yourself you need to get fully educated on the laws, process and all the tricks of the trade in dealing with tenants.

Unless you are getting a phenomenal deal on your CA purchase, i suspect that you'll find it tough to make money on a flip in SoCal if you are sub'ing out all of your trades.

My understanding is some Al counties sell Certificates....and for Certificates, you have no possession rights whatsoever.....right now you simply gave a loan to the county.

I most definitely do not expect the owner to do anything whatsoever with the mortgage payment.

Primarily looking for GCs but certainly welcome any other recommendations for trades like plumbers, electricians, etc.