I am currently working as a project manager for the construction company and also a newbie investor living in San Jose, CA.

I have never been to California so I can not be very much help.  

I am an attorney by education, have broker licenses in both CA and MA, started my own real estate company, and have recently begun to get into investing.

Silicon Valley Jobs, RE growth, Economic Conditions, and CA Leading IndicatorsWhile it looks like we can still expect appreciation in 2016 in Silicon Valley RE prices, I would expect the rate of appreciation to slow.

@Jamie S.has a good list, but, and no offense Jamie, every place is different on pricing, he lives in North Carolina, where you are in California, i can guarantee that costs are different in those two states. make a list like Jamie's and invite your contractor to Lunch ( we like free meals ) and get some rough prices by the square foot, by the square, per cabinet. then you will have something to go by when you walk into a house.

You may be confusing documents and patterns.An affidavit death of joint tenant would be recorded along with a death certificate but would not necessitate a probate to effect an insurable transfer.There are summary probates in some state that require minimum court involvement.In my state, CA, a formal probate is required when the Decedent's interest and their total gross estate exceed $150,000.

I invest in California, Texas and Indiana and it's always about the team you have.

In sunny CA you may only need the pylon to be deep enough to support any anticipated static loads.So rather than a contractor you may need an Engineer.

I'm from California but currently looking to buy in Chicago partnering with a friend on a personal holding corp.

I'm originally from Portland Maine but I now live most of the year in California and spend my summers "upta camp" on Little Sebago Lake.