Since you are coming from San Fran, labor costs are definitely cheaper here, but material costs are about the same.It depends on what type of project that you are getting yourself into.

The value that I bring is that I am a real estate agent so from the sales perspective I know what buyers are looking for in a newly renovated home and can tell you what materials and paint colors to stay away from.

Check out the blogs, podcast and all the other wonderful education materials.  

Curious:- after so many local meet-ups you organized, what are the best practices for material to cover, what keeps guests coming back, # of sessions/mth, anything else that helps these become successful...- what type of financing and terms? 

REI is a passion of mine, and its the key to my dream life, not riches and material things, but a life that I can spend a majority of my time with my future family, and my wife, and traveling.

All the rules / methods you list are as 'rules of thumb', 'short cuts', etc. just as you can guesstimate a roof re-shingle just by the sq footage without selecting material, taking in account specific damage or getting quotes.Using any one of these methods is just a time saver to see if you should invest the most precious thing you have - Time.

Both for labor and materials. 

Depends on the quality of material used. 

Again, this boils down to "your" personal goals and aspirations, just want you to be made aware of both sides of the spectrum.AssumptionsDownpayment: 20%Closing Costs: 3%Amortization: 30 yrsInt Rate: 5%Materials: 8% of gross (plug)Insurance: 30 per door/mthly (plug)Taxes: $7k (plug - assumed higher in CA)Management: 8% of gross (plug)Garbage: $100/mthly (plug)Misc: $2400 (plug - assumed unaccounted exp)Capex: 8% (plug)* I hope this helps and makes sense.

There're tons of educational materials under Education section of BP.