I would base this first off of where I want to work first.

Most of the software I use for deals for myself and my clients use an algorithm that will use statistical amounts for replacement based on current costs.

It will cost approx $4000 to remove the Oak tree based on a professional estimate.

Fix it up over 1-2 years then evaluate what's the best play (stay, sell, refi, STR rent, LTR rent, etc...) 

We built our 16 person cabin with fire suppression in it because we didn't want to play games with the definition of bedrooms to skirt around the regulations.While I don't disagree with the point your making, I will say that our interactions with the fire marshals and city officials have been way better than we expected. 

After doing some research on the ‘director,’ Kory, he’s actually just a freelance/self-employed salesman based in Utah… I should have sniffed it out earlier in the process than I did because even in the 1stinterview, some of the early questions from the screener included how much money I make, how much I have in my bank accounts, my credit score, how much credit card debt I have, and what my credit card limits are…I was then asked if I was willing to ‘leverage my credit’ aka max out my credit cards to be successful.

The cost to play has gotten exponentially higher, the barrier to entry is only going to get harder.

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.