Los Angeles Real Estate Development Companies

WSO,

I found out today that my fiancée may be relocated to Irvine in January and I want to get to networking sooner than later so I'm not caught flat footed. I have been to LA exactly once in my life, so I am looking for any local insight into top LA or LA-area development shops - reputation, deal flow, etc. Who are the major players? Who is big and well known but definitely should be avoided? Who is lean and exciting and probably looking to grow?

I currently work for an east coast apartment developer as a DM, although I've been thinking about branching out into different product types for a while now. I have a little bit of office experience in my background, but I would definitely have to learn the ropes if I make that kind of move. On the multi side, I'm a bit concerned about deal flow in California with all of the rent control and NIMBYism I hear about, but I'm not sure if that's mainly horror stories or not.

Essentially, I need to educate myself on LA real estate quickly, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!