Todays 30 year fixed rate mortgages are an astonishing 7.1% Based off that I am finding a lot of properties that, if at a 3.5% interest rate, would have a great 9% C on C return.

Southern California is a tough market,  however, its doable based on our experience. 

I am a New York based new-ish investor working to expand. 

Are there other markets I should consider based on my criteria?

The ease of buying and selling real estate wouldn't exist without NAR and MLS.Either way, this is like someone suing attorneys for charging a base of $250 an hour as "That's what they charge" and then a jury finding the attorneys liable for price-fixing.

I am not personally a fan. 

The reality is at the beginning of your journey you should be happy to get on base.

Perkins - I'm based in Atlanta and fund a lot of SPEC new construction projects here, from 1-4 to 30-35 door multifamily and mixed use. 

My most recent build cost I put together for a house build on an empty lot was at $300/SF as base cost.

Find out which unit it is coming from and ask them directly to stop smoking weed or to blow it out the window, use a fan, etc.