Above just the assumption that it'd be far more of a corporate environment, I just don't think that would happen at a larger shop, at least not for quite awhile, and I do think I would generally be more at home with a smaller office of people (smaller being relative to multi-national, or coast-to-coast, I suppose).Personally speaking, do you find that you're in that type of environment with a boutique brokerage?

You will recognize it because you will know relative value.  

A detailed before-and-after P&L comparison would be useful here to show accuracy and weaknesses.I have a relatively sophisticated rehab spreadsheet I’ve been enhancing for years, and I know it’s reasonably accurate.

1) Yiu REALLY need to know what CA will  allow you to do, I don’t know, but the state may say too bad landlord, you lose. 2) Assuming your attorney (Or you if you’re able to decode the laws that relate to your situation and are willing to go to court in front of a judge against a “sick” kid.) think you have the right to collect the rent I’d give them two options. 

For example, for any lease-related activities (negotiating terms/pricing, signing lease, etc.) could I just have a real estate attorney on retainer to do these activities? 

Quote from @Lyle Klein: I work for New Western at our relatively new Phoenix branch.

Ensuring your rental market can sustain these costs will help maintain profitability over time.The 7% DSCR loan is relatively high, and refinancing later at a lower rate could improve your long-term cash flow.

There are good relations with the neighbor so this likely wouldn't be terribly difficult to pull off, but I haven't ever developed a property from scratch so I would definitely like the opportunity to partner with someone on this to help ensure the success but first I want to finish the smaller property to have sufficient funding available if it is needed.

This deal was brought to us by our relator and was also a civilian that worked on base that was leaving the area.

Another benefit is lower flood risk...those may be famous last words, but you're in a good location/elevation relative to other parts of Houston metro.It is very street to street and block to block.