I have also heard there were shortages in the materials so they used to be even cheaper.

Despite ongoing material and labor shortages, apartment construction continued on pace this year, with more than 330,000 new rental units expected to be delivered coast to coast by year’s end.

I'm hoping to find a brokerage in Orange County, California (southern CA) that can utilize my skills despite my limited availability. 

You will be able to guess what you can do with you skills and the skills of the people around you. 

If you start in multifamily, you may not end there, but you will take the skills you learned with you.

Maybe you are not a skilled closer.

For "professionals" that are roommates (all named on one agreement), usually all will have good income and background, but if one is weaker, with the standard "joint and several" clause, the better qualified individual will want to maintain their credit rating and resolve any shortages if an issue arises.

Zillow and other Internet searches show there is a huge shortage of Rentals available in that Market with only 3 available rentals currently listed.

Would be a great skill to pick up for sure!

For us, the town basically said not going to happen because shortage of parking....this is north jersey by the way.