Hey Joshua, my wife has helped several clients find small boutique hotels and could probably help your friends out.

If you have a question about a specific topic try searching for it first and if you're not getting the answer you want then start a new thread.I'm an owner/broker of a boutique real estate brokerage in AZ covering the Phoenix metro area and am currently branching out to the San Francisco bay area.

Our property is zoned as multi-use so I have the idea of using it/getting it classified as a "boutique hotel" and renting out the rooms in the house.With this type of classification I'm assuming the taxes would be higher, etc for this use, insurance would be of a more commercial nature, etc.So should I try to setup the property as an LLC (to insulate it's operation from us legally)?

The first building is 127,831 GSF (109,558 ESF) built in 1970 with 160 hotel rooms, reception, boutique, gym, meeting rooms, restaurant, banquet kitchen, and indoor atrium area with pool.

I have a particular interest in small project types (single/dual-family residential, boutique retail, etc).

When I first started I immediately signed up with a small boutique that offered 0 training but 100% commission.  

I actually think the long term appreciation is better with my existing properties, which are boutique buildings in very desireable San Francisco neighborhoods.

Small, boutique service.  

Most traditional 401k and IRA providers place restrictions in their documents that only allow the accountholder to invest in funds that the provider sells (think stocks, bonds and the like with a brokerage house).On the self-directed side, boutique firms create documents without such restrictions so that the IRA or 401k actually allows the accountholder or participant to invest into all or most of what the law allows for, including real estate.

I spoke with several boutique brokerages and agents in town, and it seems KW works well in the suburban markets and rocking Texas but not very strong in SF proper.