I'd rather focus my efforts towards building a following and culture that is mine, which I control, and will hopefully make money from down the road.

If the Chinese manufacturer was analytical in their development, they would specialize their pre-fabricated panels to be malleable (when it comes to MEP), so that the structure conformed to each jurisdiction-code that they were shipping them to. 

Just about creating the culture and attracting the right members/tenants.

Generally because the culture here is pretty anti-guru but also generally because most of these programs deserve that skepticism.

Chinese now have some foreign currency issues to deal with but I can tell you that the demand is huge, so once the capital controls are released the funds will flow back into California.

Chinese have adopted "wait and see" approach3.

I miss the culture of New York City (plays, concerts, shows) but you can't beat the cost of living and weather down here. lol

I would only install stone (granite, cultured, or otherwise) in a higher-end rental or if I found usable seconds at an extraordinary price)As for layout, what is on the wall to the left of the photo?

Because the Chinese government is becoming stricter, I think the all cash offers from the Chinese is going to disappear.  

They have good training programs, good company culture, good orientation to help you grow beyond being just an agent, and when you start completing a lot of sales, they are a smart financial choice.