I am working with a "Big Fish" in the community who is letting me see 3 of his homes.

Not to sound like the old grandpa or anything... but I did one working full time and fishing (read that as doing a thesis) for my masters.

The ones that hike and fish all day are the best.

I use Zillow/Trulia for rents - very good tool, plenty of great leads .....but wouldn't sell a house without MLS.REALTOR.com is the most reliable source of info while Zillow is just fishing for your info and money from agents.These Zestimates are just jokes.

It' not a buyers market if your only source of purchasing is by fishing in the same pond everyone else is fishing in, THE MLS.Off Market Deals will rectify that notion in any market and because you use HML and PML your CASH OFFER Negotiaions swings the market to sway in your favor.There are so many strategies for acquiring off market deals.

There are plenty of other fish in the sea for now. 

This would include traffic engineering, biological consultant, archaeological consultant, and any and all consulting related to Army Corps of Engineers, and Federal and CA State Fish and Wildlife.

You can broaden your search to real estate investment firms and investment banks, as well PE - that should open some more opportunities. 

Hey BPthis guys posts are all over the placeone post stated his client had the money from inheritance, not him.he is looking for RE agents,  loan agents,   partners, etc.when I see starting topics like his,  smells like dead fish to me,   I run away from his deals.proceed with caution with this new BP member.go get a team or mentor to help you local where you live,   you throw out bait,  I smelled it,   look like court house drama to me.    

So I'm just fishing around for ideas on what others do.