Try to talk with the planner on duty and a building plans reviewer if you can, the permit technician is a wealth of information about the process, but the reviewers will tell you what they expect to see.

Theresa, glad to see a fellow city planner willing to put their unfair advantage to work.

This sentiment is actually coming from an emerging group of community-based nonprofits, architects, city planners, and community developers, who see the value of using real estate to development to better their communities by literally shaping and rebuilding them.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm assuming there are sales people (or financial planners, if that is the preferred terminology) that are paid by commission.

From the advice of an estate planner here in NZ I have been made aware some potentially problematic tax laws for NZ Tax Residents who have foreign income. 

Last week, I spoke to a planner at Alameda County, who said the county attorney is working on it.

The financial planners say, you will be in a lower tax bracket then.  

Additionally, be wary of CPA firms, businesses, attorneys, wealth planners, etc who will take on any client who walks through the front door.

James, thanks for your reply, and thanks to all of you for your replies thus far....your insights are appreciated greatly.Let me clarify my earlier post when I said that I have no interest in working with a "traditional broker".....I spend 95% of my week being a financial-planner and meeting with clients, only 5% of my week is spent with my Real Estate LLC employee's.  

I am a financial planner looking to invest in real estate.