Does anyone have advice on who to talk to to look over my numbers/portfolio? 

If they are VERY professional, they will have their processes in writing as verification that it is enforced equally and fairly by their entire staff. 6.

The industry is a bit muddy at times, so you definitely need to to your research and ask plenty of questions, but there are absolutely some top notch providers around the country who provide real, tangible value and honest, consistent service.Best of luck!

Again, I went to an appraiser and asked if I could hire her to give me a professional opinion about what to do with a piece of property and she refused - who then is the appropriate professional to go to to seek guidance regarding "the highest and best use of a piece of real estate"?

They have to get all new documents. new purchase agreements, new earnest money , verification of source of new funds, run new OFAC checks, create new arms length affidavit.

I was thinking to to the stairs myself to save some extra money.

It is difficult to be a successful landlord if you can't read people, because credit reports and income verification doesn't tell you anything about how much of a PITA the tenant is going to be or how reasonable they will behave as a human being.

There are many, many more ways to to it...and this isn't one of them

Banks will typically limit you to 4 houses before they cut you off.If you do things the way I do them by using "Subject To" to buy the properties, you get in more cheaply and there is no bank to cut you off so you can do as many of these as you care to.

I would like to to buy and hold a house in Baltimore MD. which are the best neighborhoods to live in Baltimore MD?