I just moved from California and I have a couple properties with the intention of buying more soon.  

Hey biggerpockets new to the whole real estate investing scene, but am extremely motivated. I am looking to network and find out more information on here. I have read the book on No and Low Money Down Investing and wa...

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

What are the potential pitfalls to this other than the obvious such as, I buy a lemon and waste a ton of my 401k money. 

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.