Take a look at some of the suggestions below:Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthereCheck out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

I'll use your questions and information when interviewing the architects tomorrow and relay what they say.

We've interviewed a million prospects.

I have learned tons from watching their interviews  and Q's and A's on AskBP videos as well.

I am wondering if any advice can be offered as to how to interview listing agents for multi-family investment properties?

Hard to do remotely, probably best to make as much contact as possible long distance and then spend a week or two in the area looking at properties, interviewing agents and property managers, etc.My advice to Bay Area investors?

What kind of work should they be doing as part of their interview to prove they are knowledgeable?

Its an interview with someone who built his REI business while on active duty.

FIRST - YOU need to have just a few of my credentials - 74 years old - in real estate and development for 48 years - a Mason - auctioneer and full time investor.If it is OK with you - this is how we'll work - I will give you instruction on how to develop real estate leads - the leads call me or you - I interview the lead and determine from their answers if their property has any EQUITY.

I even use Skype and TeamViewer to communicate with clients so I'd highly recommend looking for one of the best with great references that interviews well with you.So look for someone you can connect with that works out for your situation.Feel free to ask here if you have questions