This also works - I ended up doing it this way
var addedProperties = from p in db.Property
join ppic in db.PropertyPhotos on p.PropertyId equals ppic.PropertyId into pp
join a in db.AreaLookUp on p.Area equals a.AreaLookUpId
join cal in db.CalendarEvent on p.PropertyId equals cal.PropertyId into c
where p.UserId == userId
select new PropertyExcerptViewModel
{
PropertyId = p.PropertyId,
PropertyType = p.PropertyType,
PropertyCategoryDescription = pc.PropertyCategoryDescription,
TransactionType = p.TransactionType,
IsPropertyDisabled = p.IsPropertyDisabled,
IsPropertyVerified = p.IsPropertyVerified,
IsPropertyNotified = p.IsPropertyNotified,
MainPicSrc = pp.Where(e => e.MainPic == true).FirstOrDefault().PhotoLocation,
PhotosCount = pp.Count(),
Price = p.Price,
NoOfBedrooms = p.NoOfBedrooms,
Area = a.AreaLookUpDescription,
ShortDescription = (p.Description.Length > 300) ? p.Description.Substring(0, 300) : p.Description,
LatestCalendarEvent = c.OrderByDescending(e => e.DateSaved).FirstOrDefault()
};
return addedProperties.ToList();