If you are shopping single family vs condo, the HOA fees for condos could take it out of the running.

We were currently spending $850/mo for a local 1000 sqft garage space that was being used for storage and shop purposes.

They just might not be licensed, might not be ethical, usually don’t answer to a broker or a regulatory body (unless they are licensed) and use a different sales process where the EM typically goes hard earlier in the transaction and the buyer is on their own with fewer contingencies and less time to do their due diligence.

Which I will do now.You didn't do anything "incorrectly" I just believe you'll end up with better results this way for any insurance needs.Very difficult to shop around on your own and rate hunt. 

The specific height has to be composed with the area and body of water.

I would recommend that you seek out Independent Agents (that represent multiple companies) and have them shop the policy.  

When should I start shopping long term financing?

In the midwest where I normally shop, there are still solid deals.

The credit algorithm allows you to shop.

., etc.) without any real estate experience is a bit like trying to form and manage a law firm without any legal experience, or trying to establish and manage an auto repair shop without any automotive experience--those would be monumental challenges even locally, but doing it from hundreds of miles away is near impossible.