For the high cost areas like Palo Alto it is difficult to get a property to cashflow out the gate because rents have not caught up with the cost. 

I want to try and offset as much cost as possible without compromising quality so I’m looking for a GC mentor who could help me eat, breathe, sleep and wake GC lol.

In San Diego at the current rates for a purchase loan (which has better rates than an ADU additions) at high LTV, I show 1% does not cash flow on a sustained basis.  

When we moved, we turned it into a rental, hoping this would be the start of our real estate journey—something we’d like to continue once my husband retires.Some key details:My husband is active duty and will retire in 3 years.We have one final move coming up this summer to Raleigh, NC.Our current debts are crippling us—the high interest makes it tough to stay afloat every month.The plan me and my husband are thinking bout:Sell the rental property.Use the proceeds to pay off all our debts, set aside emergency funds and a down payment for our next home.Free up $1,500/month from debt payments, and that also can stash in a high-yield savings account.Regain full VA loan entitlement, allowing us to purchase a multifamily home and use the house hacking strategy for up coming move.Avoid capital gains tax, since April marks five years of ownership, and the tenant’s lease ends in May.This wasn’t our original plan, and we hate the idea of using our equity to pay off debt.

My experience with clients utilizing the large firms is high priced packages that are often more robust than the client's needs at that point. 

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

The scope of work, quality needed, location etc will determine the cost.

If you are looking to expand your knowledge I highly recommend the webinars BP offers. 

Sounds to me like you’re commenting on how the quality of the course is without having seen it.  

Start at a higher price point (not too high maybe 10%-20% higher than what you expect to rent for) then each week lower it just a bit until you get it rented out.