However this prompted my dad to then study the land that we actually do own, and he realized that our neighbor inserted a fence onto land that we clearly own. 

Insert some random 3rd metaphor here.Good luck. 

Ask if any are looking for deals in (insert your area here). 

@Dave FosterI believe @Angela Zaitz intentionally inserted "or" in her post.

Every time the Government steps in and inserts artificial support for a PRIVATE BUSINESS, they are feeding the beast of BAD actions. 

Idea: My contractor friend said that I could just rip up the floor, leave the current joists as they lie, insert new joists 16" on center, and put down plywood subfloor.

I would ask him this "How many unrelated people can live in a Single Family Residence in {insert area}?" 

When you're licensed, you have a lot more ability to insert yourself into the process and stay informed on the true status of the deal.If you don't want to get licensed, there are a couple options for contracts:*  You can download a generic contract off the web (this is risky, as it may not be suitable for your area);*  You can find a local realtor who will give you a copy of the template used by local agents (legally, you're not supposed to use these if you're not licensed, but I won't tell);*  You can hire a local real estate contracts attorney to provide you a custom contract you can use.3) Is it best to try to get a partner, someone who is already experienced?

I’d all but given up and did not even appeal the CA, but I am considering attending this hearing in the event I can convince them my basement apartment shared-unit isn’t not going to disrupt the neighborhood *insert eye roll*

(Insert your favorite gourmet burger joint for an analogy)But the real value is not in recording things after they already happened but in planning things before they happen.